Imatsu Tondo

Festival highlights

A highlight is the large bamboo pole, made by joining horizontal bamboo poles and decorated with bags called saifu and streamers.

A fire is lit in a structure piled with New Year decorations, and young men wait for the bamboo to fall into the sea before diving in.

The burning bamboo and its retrieval from the sea are part of one continuous sequence, making this a distinctive feature of Imatsu Tondo.

Source: 今津のとんど | しまね観光ナビ｜島根県公式観光情報サイト

Imatsu’s daring fire festival, where people chase bamboo as it falls into the sea

What to expect

During the event, bamboo is erected on the shore, New Year decorations and other items are gathered, and a fire is lit.

After the bamboo falls into the sea, men wearing fundoshi loincloths enter the water and retrieve the large pole.

They carry the recovered large bamboo pole to homes in the district where a celebration is being held.

How to take part

About 20 men wearing fundoshi loincloths take part in retrieving the large bamboo pole.

Imatsu Ward is divided into the East and West groups, which alternate every other year between serving as the working group and the guest group. The whole community helps run the event.

Please check the event information to find out whether members of the general public may join in retrieving the pole.

Location and access

Venue and address

Imatsu Fishing Port in Imatsu, Okinoshima Town.

By car

It is about 10 minutes by car from Saigo Port.

Address Imatsu, Okinoshima Town, Oki District, Shimane Prefecture

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Dates and season

Season

January 15

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

This event involves fire, and participants dive into the sea after the bamboo falls.

When watching, keep a safe distance so as not to obstruct the fire, the falling bamboo, or the people entering the water.

As the event takes place on the shore, watch your footing and be alert to changing weather. Follow the instructions provided at the venue.

Source: 島根県：今津漁港（トップ / しごと・産業 / 水産業 / 地方機関 / 隠岐支庁農林水産局（旧水産局） / 漁港の管理について / 管内漁港）

Nearby attractions

Near Imatsu Tondo are Oyama Shrine, the Yana Pine Grove and Boat Sheds, Oki bull sumo, and the Oki Folk Museum.

The Yana Pine Grove and Boat Sheds are introduced as a site selected for the “100 Best White Sand and Green Pine Landscapes.”

Oki bull sumo is introduced as a traditional culture with a history of about 800 years.

Museums and art museumsOkinoshima Town

隠岐郷土館

島根県隠岐の島町にある博物館

Visit the official page ↗ⓘ Photo and data sources

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写真：Saigen Jiro / CC0

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Facility data source

Attractions in the same municipality. Check each attraction’s official website for travel distances from the venue and current opening information.

Origins and History of Imatsu Tondo

Tondo is a fire festival found throughout Japan, also known as Sagicho, and it has been passed down in districts across Okinoshima Town.

Imatsu Tondo was designated an intangible folk cultural property of Okinoshima Town on April 23, 2018.

In Imatsu Ward, the East and West groups take turns playing a role every other year, with the whole community preserving the custom.

Imatsu Tondo at a Glance

Imatsu Tondo is a fire festival in Imatsu Ward where a large bamboo pole bearing burning New Year decorations is toppled into the sea and young men enter the water to retrieve it.

The event is held to pray for good harvests, plentiful catches, and the safety of residents, and it is also an intangible folk cultural property designated by Okinoshima Town.

The venue is Imatsu Fishing Port, and it is scheduled for January 15.