The Dontosai Festival, known as the Matsutaki Festival for Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, is a fiery New Year festival unique to Miyagi.
What happens?
Every year on January 14, festival goers burn their old New Year’s decorations in a large bonfire (set alight at 5 p.m.) at Osaki Hachimangu Shrine in Sendai. The festival only gets more heated when you find out that half-naked men will brave the cold clad only in loin cloths (but more likely shorts) and wraps. They will join a procession known as the hadaka-mairi (naked pilgrimage).
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
14th Jan, 2025
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5:00pm – 7:00pm
松焚祭
Free
- 1.4 km from Kawauchi Station Tōzai Line (T3)Tōzai Line (T12)
- 1.7 km from International Center Station Tōzai Line (T4)Tōzai Line (T13)
- 2.1 km from Kita-Yobanchō Station Namboku Line (N7)
Typical weather at this time:
High: 12 ºC
Low: 5 ºC
