An event of taiko and nenbutsu for protection against fire, preserving the memory of a great fire
Hibuse Nenbutsu
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year on January 18 / Every year
- Area
- Shizuoka Prefecture・Fujinomiya City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h–1 h 30 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
- 2026/11/13
Hibuse Nenbutsu, passed down in the Uchino and Ashigata districts of Fujinomiya City, is a local traditional event in which people chant nenbutsu to the beat of and a gong, praying for protection from fire, good fortune, and the dispelling of misfortune. The five-colored paper decorations and scattering of rice cakes also express the prayers of the community that has carried on the event.
About Hibuse Nenbutsu
Hibuse Nenbutsu is a traditional event passed down in the Uchino and Ashigata districts of Fujinomiya City, in which people pray for protection against fire, good fortune, and the dispelling of misfortune.
Members of the Rokusai Nenbutsu group beat taiko and a gong, chanting nenbutsu in a distinctive rhythm.
The use of five-colored paper decorations, a large called a Daitengu, and a hanging scroll depicting Amida Triad is also distinctive.
The event has been passed down for many years with the involvement of local residents and children.
Festival highlights
Highlights include the distinctive nenbutsu chanted to the beat of taiko and a gong, and the five-colored decorations being taken down all at once toward the end.
The chanting and taiko grow louder and louder, and the decorations are pulled down at a signal.
The decorations are scattered outdoors along with rice cakes and sweets. They are attached to short pieces of and taken home by each household as charms against fire.
Faith and community life are expressed through the event’s sequence.
An event of taiko and nenbutsu for protection against fire, preserving the memory of a great fire
What to expect
During the event, members of the Rokusai group and others chant nenbutsu while beating taiko and a gong.
In a documented example, nenbutsu was chanted every hour starting at 9 a.m., and at 3 p.m. local residents and children gathered for the final chanting.
Toward the end, the room’s decorations are taken down at a signal, and rice cakes, sweets, and other items are scattered outdoors.
The decorations were attached to shimenawa and taken home by each household as charms against fire.
Location and access
- Address
Fujinomiya City
Host municipality 静岡県富士宮市
This map shows the surrounding area, not the exact venue location.
Dates and season
- Season
Every year on January 18
- Frequency
Every year
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 Shizuoka Prefecture / Fujinomiya City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
奇石博物館
静岡県富士宮市にある博物館
富士山本宮浅間大社
日本の静岡県富士宮市にある神社
曽我八幡宮
静岡県富士宮市上井出にある神社
Origins and History of Hibuse Nenbutsu
Hibuse Nenbutsu is said to have begun as a warning against the great fire that broke out in the Uchino and Ashigata districts in Jōkyō 1 (1684).
It has been passed down for more than 300 years as an event praying for protection from fire, prosperity for the household, good fortune, and the dispelling of misfortune.
In the past, the event was held at a newly built home, chosen from among those built during the previous year, whose household served as the tōya. In recent years, the venue has been Uchino Community Center.
It is also designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Fujinomiya City.
Hibuse Nenbutsu at a Glance
Hibuse Nenbutsu is a traditional event for protection against fire that has been passed down for more than 300 years in the Uchino and Ashigata districts of Fujinomiya City.
People chant nenbutsu to the beat of taiko and a gong, using five-colored paper decorations, a large gohei called a Daitengu, and a hanging scroll depicting Amida Triad.
At the end, the decorations are scattered along with rice cakes and sweets. Decorations attached to shimenawa are taken home by each household as charms against fire.
It was reported that in 2026 the event was held at Uchino Community Center on January 18.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/13
