Hachioji Festival (Asahi Town)

Hachioji Festival, held at Komukai Shrine in Komukai, Asahi Town, Mie Prefecture, is a spirited fire festival in which people strike one another with torches. The tradition of praying for protection from serious illness continues today, accompanied by the sounds of drums and bells.

About Hachioji Festival (Asahi Town)

Hachioji Festival is a fire festival passed down at Komukai Shrine in the Komukai district of Asahi, Mie District, Mie Prefecture.

This spirited event involves striking one another with straw torches and is also known as the “Torch Festival” and the “Naked Festival.”

It is said to have begun around the Kyoho era of the Edo period, with prayers to drive away disease.

Residents have safeguarded and passed down the festival, centered on Komukai Shrine, which enshrines the local guardian deity.

Source: 三重県：八王子祭：朝日町 / 朝日町◆八王子祭り

Festival highlights

A highlight is the procession carrying lit torches into the grounds of Komukai Shrine, culminating in a scene where the bare-chested men strike one another with torches.

In the past, a carrying a large drum and bells paraded through the area, and people carrying flames climbed the mountain path.

It is a distinctive festival that brings together drums and fire, with sparks and cheers filling the air.

Today, the dondō is no longer burned on Myōtani-yama; the event is held within the .

A fire festival in Komukai, Asahi Town, to ward off misfortune, with torches and drums resounding

What to expect

During the festival, a dashi carrying drums and bells makes its way through the village of Komukai, led by shrine parishioner representatives and officials carrying lanterns.

When the procession reaches the shrine approach, the torches are lit, and the torch bearers and procession make their way through the shrine grounds.

Afterward, the men pour water over themselves and strike one another with torches held in both hands.

As the fire rituals draw to a close, the dondō in the shrine grounds is also lit, and the festival concludes to the sound of drums and bells.

How to take part

The festival is a community-led tradition honoring the local tutelary deity of the Komukai district.

In the past, villagers of all ages made their own torches and prepared them along the route to the shrine.

However, no information is provided on whether general visitors can take on any of the roles today, such as being among the naked men who beat their torches together.

You can visit as a spectator, but be sure to check in advance how to participate.

Location and access

Venue and address: Komukai Shrine (1573 Komukai, Asahi Town, Mie District, Mie Prefecture)
Train and bus: It is about a 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Ise-Asahi Station and JR Asahi Station.
By car: It is about a 10-minute drive east from Mie-Asahi IC on the Isewangan Expressway.

Source: 小向神社 | 観光スポット | 観光三重(かんこうみえ)

Address 1573 Komukai, Asahi Town, Mie District, Mie Prefecture 510-8102

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Dates and season

Season: Every year on August 13
Frequency: Every year

Accommodation and hotels PR

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 Mie Prefecture / Asahi Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Tips for your visit

The festival uses lit torches, and there are moments when sparks fly.

When watching, be mindful of where you stand in the shrine grounds and along the approach so as not to obstruct the proceedings.

If you wish to take part in the torch-banging event or choose a place to watch, it is important to follow the instructions given on the day.

The festival is held during the period in August most years, so be sure to prepare for the heat before you visit.

Nearby attractions

Near Komukai Shrine are attractions such as the Asahi Town Museum, the Tokaido (Asahi Town), and the Asahi Town History Museum.

They are all listed as places of interest near Komukai Shrine.

If you would like to learn about Asahi Town’s history and post-road culture as part of your festival visit, check the opening hours of each facility before you go.

Origins and History of Hachioji Festival (Asahi Town)

Hachioji Festival is said to have originated around the Kyoho era of the Edo period, when an epidemic spread in Komukai and people prayed to the Hachioji deity to drive away the god of disease.

According to the story behind the festival, people lit straw-bundle torches and struck one another with them, after which the epidemic subsided.

Since then, it has been held on August 13 as a fire festival combining the driving away of crop pests with prayers for protection from illness.

It is said that when the festival was suspended once before the war, an infectious disease outbreak followed, so it has been held every year without fail ever since.

Official information

小向神社の公式サイトは、小向神社の公式サイトです。

You can use it for information about visiting or making inquiries about Komukai Shrine, the festival venue.