A fiery, chant-filled Kishu festival rooted in the tale of Hiruko-no-Mikoto
Yassai Hossai at Ishizuta Shrine
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year on December 14 / Every year
- Location
- Ishizuta Shrine
- Area
- Osaka Prefecture・Sakai 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
- Last updated
- 2026/11/15
A festival featuring fire-walking, held every year on December 14 at Ishizuta Shrine in Nishi Ward, Sakai City. Against the backdrop of a tale about Hiruko-no-Mikoto, the chosen “Ebisu-san” walks through the fire to the chant “Yassai Hossai.”
About Yassai Hossai at Ishizuta Shrine
Yassai Hossai at Ishizuta Shrine is held every year on December 14 at Ishizuta Shrine in Hamadera-Ishizu-cho Naka, Nishi Ward, Sakai City.
It is said to be based on a tale in which villagers rescued Hiruko-no-Mikoto after he drifted ashore here and lit a fire to warm him.
A sacred tree is piled up to make a “tonto,” which is set alight before the chosen “Ebisu-san” walks through the fire. The festival is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Sakai City.
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the moment when a “tonto,” made by piling up a sacred tree, is set alight.
The “Ebisu-san,” chosen from among the villagers, is lifted up and walks through the fire to the chant “Yassai Hossai.”
Its distinctive practices bring together Ebisu worship and Shugendo, and Sakai City recognizes the value of its religious background as folk culture.
A fiery, chant-filled Kishu festival rooted in the tale of Hiruko-no-Mikoto
What to expect
At the festival, a “tonto” made by piling up a sacred tree is first set alight.
Then the “Ebisu-san,” chosen from among the villagers, is lifted up and walks through the fire to the chant “Yassai Hossai.”
The connection between this fire-walking ritual and the tale of warming Hiruko-no-Mikoto with fire is explained.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Ishizuta Shrine (4-chome, Hamadera-Ishizu-cho Naka, Nishi Ward, Sakai City)
Address 4-chome, Hamadera-Ishizu-cho Naka, Nishi Ward, Sakai City
Dates and season
- Season
Every year on December 14
- 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 Osaka Prefecture / Sakai City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
石津神社
大阪府堺市にある神社
萩原神社
大阪府堺市にある神社
大鳥大社
大阪府堺市の神社
Origins and History of Yassai Hossai at Ishizuta Shrine
Yassai Hossai is said to be based on a tale in which villagers rescued Hiruko-no-Mikoto after he drifted ashore here and lit a fire to warm him.
The festival preserves distinctive practices that bring together Ebisu worship and Shugendo.
It was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Sakai City in Heisei 25 November 20.
Official information
Cultural property information listed by Sakai City under “Yassai Hossai at Ishizuta Shrine.”
Yassai Hossai at Ishizuta Shrine at a Glance
Yassai Hossai at Ishizuta Shrine is held every year on December 14 at Ishizuta Shrine. It is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Sakai City.
Against the backdrop of the tale that villagers rescued Hiruko-no-Mikoto and warmed him by a fire, they light a “tonto” made by piling up a sacred tree. The chosen “Ebisu-san” then walks through the fire to the sound of chants.
A fire-centered festival that brings together Ebisu worship and Shugendo.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/15
