The prayers of Isshin, passed down through barefoot fire-walking and blade-walking
Isshin Shrine Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Usually April 2 / Every year
- Location
- Isshin Shrine
- Area
- Nagano Prefecture・Ueda City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 50 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
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
The Isshin Shrine Festival, passed down in Kamihoniri, Takeshi, Ueda City, is an intangible folk cultural property featuring fire-walking and blade-walking by Isshin practitioners.
About Isshin Shrine Festival
The Isshin Shrine Festival is an annual event passed down in Kamihoniri, Takeshi, Ueda City.
Enshrining Isshin Reijin, the event features fire-walking, blade-walking, and cocoon-ball throwing by Isshin practitioners who gather from across the Kanto region.
The event conveys the faith of Isshin practitioners connected to the area and the history of the Isshin confraternity, and is designated an intangible folk cultural property by Ueda City.
Source: 一心神社祭典行事 - 信州の文化財 - 財団法人 八十二文化財団
Festival highlights
Highlights include Isshin practitioners walking barefoot and barehanded across fire, and blade-walking across a ladder with its blades pointed upward.
Information also describes an opportunity for members of the public, not just practitioners, to take part in the fire-walking.
A distinctive feature of this festival is the combination of rigorous rites involving fire and religious observances passed down in the local community.
Source: 上田の春を体感しよう!／春のイベントを一挙紹介 | うえだ移住テラス
The prayers of Isshin, passed down through barefoot fire-walking and blade-walking
What to expect
The event is described as beginning with prayers and fire-walking by Isshin practitioners, followed by fire-walking by members of the public.
Next, practitioners demonstrate blade-walking by climbing up and down a ladder with blades attached.
繭玉投げも行事の一つとして挙げられています。
Source: 一心神社（長野県別所温泉駅）のアクセス・お参りの情報 ｜ホトカミ
How to take part
There is a tradition of members of the public taking part in the fire-walking.
Members of the public cross after the practitioners have finished, offering an opportunity to join part of the event rather than just watch.
Some descriptions say members of the public climb during the blade-walking, but safety procedures and participation requirements for the day should be confirmed in advance.
火渡りへの一般参加が案内されています。
As this event involves fire, anyone wishing to take part should follow the instructions of staff and event organizers on the day.
Whether participation in the blade-walking is allowed, and under what conditions, should be decided after checking the instructions at the site.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Around Isshin Shrine (892 Kamihoniri, Takeshi, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture).
- Train and bus
From Ueda Station on the JR or Shinano Railway, take a bus bound for Takeshi for 55 minutes, get off at Naka-Gongen, then walk 10 minutes.
- Parking
About 8 parking spaces are reported in front of Rinjo Community Center.
Address 892 Kamihoniri, Takeshi, Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture
Dates and season
- Season
Usually April 2
- 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 Nagano Prefecture / Ueda City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As fire-walking and blade-walking involve fire and blades, it is important to follow the on-site safety instructions when participating or watching.
The public fire-walking is said to take place after the practitioners' event.
Although the event is listed as a cultural property, viewing may not be permitted. Visitors are advised to contact the relevant cultural property protection office before visiting.
Nearby attractions
上田城
長野県上田市にあった城
生島足島神社
日本の長野県上田市にある神社
美ヶ原高原美術館
長野県上田市にある美術館
Origins and History of Isshin Shrine Festival
The Isshin Shrine Festival is recorded as an event dating from the Meiji 30s.
Isshin was born in Koterao and is said to have climbed Mount Ontake in Kiso as a young man, adopted Ontake-kyo beliefs, and founded the Isshin confraternity.
The faith and festival centered on its practitioners have been passed down in the community, and the event was designated an intangible folk cultural property in Heisei 13December 20.
Official information
The Isshin Shrine Festival is listed in Shinshu Cultural Properties Information as an intangible folk cultural property designated by Ueda City.
Information is provided about the enshrined deity, ceremonies performed by Isshin practitioners, the location, and public transport access.
Visitors are advised to confirm in advance with the cultural property protection office whether viewing is permitted.
Isshin Shrine Festival at a Glance
The Isshin Shrine Festival is an intangible folk cultural property passed down in Kamihoniri, Takeshi, Ueda City.
The main events are barefoot fire-walking and blade-walking by Isshin practitioners, followed by an opportunity for members of the public to take part in the fire-walking.
例年の日取りとして4月2日との紹介があります。
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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