A straw effigy’s sending-off fire, surrounded by taiko and torches, bids farewell to the night in Amasaka
Amasaka Okuribon
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- August 20
- Location
- From Daizōji Temple in Amasaka, Wakasa Town, to Yamanoha Baba
- Area
- Fukui Prefecture・Wakasa Town(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 50 min–3 h 20 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
In Amasaka, Wakasa Town, a procession accompanied by , , and torches winds through the night as a large straw effigy is burned as a sending-off fire: Amasaka Okuribon. It is a local ceremony for sending off the spirits of the dead, proceeding from the memorial service to the procession, lighting the fire, and offerings.
About Amasaka Okuribon
Amasaka Okuribon is a ceremony for sending off the spirits of the dead, held on the night of August 20 during in Amasaka, Wakasa Town.
It is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Fukui Prefecture. A procession accompanied by taiko and hayashi sets off from Daizōji Temple in the district and heads for Yamanoha Baba on the outskirts of the village with torches.
The ceremony is distinguished by the burning of a large straw effigy as a sending-off fire, with dumplings and incense offered to pay respects to the spirits of the dead.
Festival highlights
Highlights include the way the scenes unfold, from the nighttime memorial service to a procession accompanied by taiko, hayashi, and torches, and then to the lighting of a straw effigy about 3 m tall.
At Yamanoha Baba, the district head uses a lantern flame to set the straw effigy alight while the officiating priest chants sutras.
As the effigy blazes and the event reaches its climax, the hayashi also builds to a crescendo, bringing fire and sound together in the Okuribon ceremony.
A straw effigy’s sending-off fire, surrounded by taiko and torches, bids farewell to the night in Amasaka
What to expect
On the day of the event, several people responsible for preparations begin assembling a straw effigy about 3 m tall during the day.
At around 7:30 p.m., after a Segaki memorial service is held at Daizōji Temple, a procession accompanied by taiko and hayashi heads for Yamanoha Baba with torches.
At the site, the straw effigy is set alight as sutras are chanted. In front of the blazing effigy, dumplings and incense are offered to pay respects to the spirits of the dead.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Amasaka, Wakasa Town—from Daizōji Temple in the district to Yamanoha Baba on the outskirts of the village
Address Amasaka, Wakasa Town, Mikata-Kaminaka District, Fukui Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
August 20
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Fukui Prefecture / Wakasa Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
福井県年縞博物館
福井県若狭町にある地誌学の博物館
若狭三方縄文博物館
福井県若狭町にある博物館
Origins and History of Amasaka Okuribon
Amasaka Okuribon is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Fukui Prefecture.
The designation date is Heisei 21March 31, and the preservation group and tradition bearers are the Amasaka District.
It is also listed in Wakasa Town’s cultural property records as an intangible folk cultural property located in Amasaka, and is recognized as a cultural event preserved and passed down by the local community.
Official information
The Fukui Prefecture Cultural Properties page, “Cultural Property Details | Fukui Prefecture Cultural Properties,” lists the name, location and place of transmission, public viewing status, and cultural property description.
Amasaka Okuribon at a Glance
Amasaka Okuribon is a ceremony for sending off the spirits of the dead, held on the night of August 20 in Amasaka, Wakasa Town.
The procession proceeds from the Segaki memorial service at Daizōji Temple, accompanied by taiko and hayashi, and heads for Yamanoha Baba with torches.
This prefecture-designated Intangible Folk Cultural Property involves burning a straw effigy about 3 m tall and offering dumplings and incense to pay respects to the spirits of the dead amid sutra chanting and hayashi.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/11/11
