A traditional fire festival where fire characters and large torches light up Ikeda’s summer night
Gangara Fire Festival
The 2026 edition of Gangara Fire Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/08/24Ended
- Season / frequency
- Every year on August 24 / Every year
- Location
- Ikeda City (procession routes from Aburakake Jizō, Hoshi-no-Miya, and the fire-character site on Mount Satsukiyama)
- Area
- Osaka Prefecture・Ikeda City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Required number of participants
- 15–20 people per group of large torches, with about 100 people in total including those in supporting roles
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A traditional fire festival in Ikeda City, known for the fire characters on Mount Satsukiyama and the large-torch procession.
About Gangara Fire Festival
The Gangara Fire Festival is a traditional fire festival held every year on August 24 in Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture.
Praying for the safety of their families and protection from fire, people from Shiroyama Town and Tateishi Town play a central role in passing down the sacred fire.
Through the large-torch procession, the fire characters on Mount Satsukiyama, and the children’s torches, the festival conveys the local traditions of faith and ritual.
Source: がんがら火祭り | 池田市観光協会 公式サイト
Festival highlights
Highlights include the fire characters “大一” and “大” glowing on the slopes of Mount Satsukiyama, and the large torches carried through the city.
The large torches are about 4 meters tall and weigh about 100 kilograms. They are arranged in pairs to form the shape of “人” and carried in procession.
The line of flames moves to the sound of hatchōgane bells, handbells, and calls, lighting up Ikeda’s summer night.
A traditional fire festival where fire characters and large torches light up Ikeda’s summer night
What to expect
The festival begins with small torches lighting fire characters on the slope of Mount Satsukiyama.
The fire is then transferred to the large torches near Ayaha 2-chome, and the large torches from Shiroyama Town proceed through the city.
In Tateishi Town, children’s torches set out from Hoshi-no-Miya and take part in the “大” fire character, then return to Hoshi-no-Miya after it is lit.
How to take part
必要人数：大松明1組につき15～20人、関係役割を含めて総勢約100人
Location and access
- Venue and address
The procession routes around Ikeda City start from near Aburakake Jizō, Hoshi-no-Miya, and the fire-character site on Mount Satsukiyama.
The large torches set out from near Aburakake Jizō, then pass the Ikeda Station East Exit intersection and Ikeda City Hall before heading to the Shiroyama intersection.
- Train and bus
The nearest stations are Kinunobebashi Station on the Nose Electric Railway Myoken Line and Ikeda Station on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line.
Atago Shrine is said to be a 30-minute walk from Hankyu Ikeda Station.
Source: 愛宕神社（大阪府池田市）｜がんがら火祭りで知られる火除けの神様
Address Within Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 Festival Information (the listed dates have passed)
The dates for 2026 were listed as August 24.
The event is scheduled from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and goes ahead in light rain.
Children’s torches set out from Hoshi-no-Miya at 5 p.m., then return at around 8:30 p.m. after the large fire character is lit. The large torches set out from Aburakake Jizō at 7:30 p.m.
Source: イベントカレンダー | 池田市観光協会 公式サイト
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 Osaka Prefecture / Ikeda City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The large-torch procession route may change from year to year, and timings may vary depending on how the procession is progressing.
As the fire characters and torch processions take place at multiple locations, you will need to choose where to go based on the parts you want to see.
As this event involves fire, follow instructions from staff and those around you, and take care not to enter the path of the torches.
Nearby attractions
Atago Shrine in Satsukiyama Park is listed as a place associated with the festival.
Atago Shrine is worshipped as a deity of fire and is connected with the origins of the sacred fire used for the festival’s fire characters and large torches.
If you are visiting in conjunction with the festival, Atago Shrine in Satsukiyama Park is listed as a nearby related attraction.
安藤百福発明記念館 大阪池田
日本の大阪府池田市にある博物館
逸翁美術館
大阪府池田市にある美術館
Origins and History of Gangara Fire Festival
It is said to have begun in 1644, when 4 people lit fires on Mount Satsukiyama. Word spread that “Atago had descended upon Ikeda,” and people gathered on the mountain.
A historical document from 1819 mentions the fire characters on Mount Satsukiyama, and in 1928 the practice of carrying large torches through the city began.
After being scaled back during and after the war, the festival had 2 large torches by 1948, and children’s torches were added later.
Source: がんがら火祭り - Wikipedia
Official information
The “Gangara Fire Festival” page on the Ikeda City Tourism Association’s official website has information on the festival’s origins, torches, fire characters, procession routes, and general details.
The 2026 dates are also listed on the Ikeda City Tourism Association’s event calendar.
Gangara Fire Festival at a Glance
The Gangara Fire Festival is a traditional event in Ikeda City, held to pray for the safety of families and protection from fire.
Its main highlights are the fire characters on Mount Satsukiyama and the large torches carried through the city to the sound of hatchōgane bells. A procession of children’s torches is also held.
The 2026 schedule listed August 24 as a day when fires would be lit at various locations from evening into the night.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
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