Written by JC Team
Witness the dramatic Hitaki Fire Festival at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, where ancient rituals and roaring bonfires mark the return of the spirit Inari from the fields to the mountain.
What happens?
You’ll feel the heat at this Kyoto fire festival.
As the head shrine for over 30,000 across Japan, Fushimi Inari is a fitting setting for this autumn ritual.
The festival begins with solemn offerings and sacred dances, building to a fiery climax as priests toss bundles of prayer sticks into massive bonfires.
This ancient ceremony not only purifies the shrine but also symbolizes the return of the spirit Inari from the fields to the mountain.
Schedule
The Ōhitaki Fire Festival kicks off with a ceremony at Fushimi Inari’s main hall at 1 p.m., featuring offerings, prayers, and a sacred kagura dance, a type of Shinto ritual ceremonial dance.
The crowd then moves to a clearing where three large bonfires are ignited simultaneously. Priests dramatically toss prayer sticks into the flames, spreading wishes for good health and prosperity.
The evening concludes at 6 p.m. with purification rituals involving water, salt, and sakaki (Cleyera japonica) leaves, while kagura dances continue until the last prayer stick is cast into the fire.
How to get there
The shrine is located right next to Inari Station on the JR Nara Line.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.
