Daizenji Temple’s Fujikiri Festival

Festival highlights

The main highlight is the cutting down by Shugendo practitioners of a giant serpent made from wisteria roots and suspended from the sacred tree.

The festival features a series of events, including the Tengu Festival, a procession of children, a Buddhist service at Yakushido Hall, a children’s dance, a fire ritual, and a crossing of mountains and valleys, with Shugendo practices presented in stages.

In the past, worshippers competed to grab the wisteria cut down during the festival. Today, the festival’s representatives cut it into pieces and distribute it to those who request it.

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A Koshu festival where Shugendo prayers live on around a wisteria serpent

What to expect

In preparation for the festival, wisteria roots are gathered, the sacred tree is set up, and the serpent is made.

On the day, events begin with the Tengu Festival, which imbues the serpent with a spirit, followed by a procession of Shugendo practitioners, prayers at Yakushido Hall, a children’s dance, a crossing of mountains and valleys, and a contest of spiritual powers.

Finally, a practitioner representing En no Gyoja climbs the sacred tree and cuts down the wisteria serpent at the signal of a bow and arrow.

Since 2024, the festival’s representatives have distributed wisteria to those who request it.

How to take part

The festival’s central rites and Fujikiri are carried out by representatives and stewards from the Kashio district, Daizenji, and monks from nearby temples.

General visitors may watch the procession of yamabushi and the rituals, but no system is announced for members of the public to take part in the festival as yamabushi.

Since 2024, representatives have cut the wisteria roots into portions and given them to those who request them.

Location and access

Venue and address

Kashiozan Daizenji Temple (3559 Katsunuma, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture)

Train and bus

A 5-minute taxi ride from Katsunuma Budokyo Station on the JR Chuo Main Line.

The nearest bus stop is Daizenji.

By car

About 2 minutes from the Katsunuma IC on the Chuo Expressway.

Parking

40 standard parking spaces.

Parking fees are usually included in the admission fee.

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Address 3559 Katsunuma, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

According to an announcement, the festival will be held on May 5 in 2026.

Preparations include gathering wisteria roots and setting up the sacred tree, followed on the day by the Tengu Festival, a procession, Buddhist services, Shugendo rituals, and the cutting of the wisteria serpent.

Cultural property information currently gives May 5 as the festival’s annual date.

However, an older description in the national cultural property database gives May 8, so please check the latest event information before visiting.

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Tips for your visit

During Fujikiri, people gather around the sacred tree, and wisteria roots are distributed, so please watch while paying attention to the movement around you.

The festival includes a goma fire ritual and rites involving the sacred tree, so it is important to respect restricted areas and follow staff guidance.

Since 2024, rather than being taken in a scramble among worshippers, the wisteria roots have been cut into portions by the representatives and given to those who request them.

Origins and History of Daizenji Temple’s Fujikiri Festival

The festival is said to originate in the legend of En no Gyoja slaying a giant serpent at Mount Kinpu and saving people from calamity.

The Kai no Kuni-shi, compiled in 1814, describes a pillar wrapped in wisteria vines, with Shugendo practitioners climbing it.

The festival was formerly held on day 14 of lunar month 4, but is now held on May 5.

In 2013, it was selected as an intangible folk cultural property for which the national government should take measures to document it.

Official information

Information about the cultural property at the festival site is available on Koshu City’s “Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Koshu City” page.

Information on the festival’s cultural property designation and the current method of distributing wisteria roots is also available in Yamanashi Prefecture’s cultural property guide.

Information about Daizenji Temple, the venue, including facilities and directions, is available in the Daizenji Temple guide on Yamanashi Prefecture’s official tourism website.

Daizenji Temple’s Fujikiri Festival at a Glance

Based on the legend of En no Gyoja slaying a giant serpent, Daizenji Temple’s Fujikiri Festival is a traditional festival in Koshu City featuring prayers and processions by Shugendo practitioners, a children’s dance, a crossing of mountains and valleys, and the cutting of the wisteria serpent.

The highlight is the cutting down of a giant serpent made from wisteria roots hanging from the sacred tree. Wisteria is believed to bring protection from misfortune, recovery from illness, and good luck.

An announcement has been made for May 5 in 2026, and wisteria roots are distributed to those who request them.