The Hashiramatsu Festival of Northern Shinano

A festival of Northern Shinano where people divine peace throughout the land and a bountiful harvest by competing to raise fire atop hashiramatsu poles. It is carried on in Iiyama’s Kosuge area and Kijimadaira Village’s Uchiyama and Minamikamo areas, with each community preserving its own local character.

About The Hashiramatsu Festival of Northern Shinano

The Hashiramatsu Festival of Northern Shinano is a festival passed down in areas including Iiyama’s Kosuge and Kijimadaira Village’s Uchiyama and Minamikamo, where participants decorate the tops of poles with paper streamers and branches and compete to light them.

In Kijimadaira Village, the event is called “Hashiramatsuko” and is held as a fire festival to divine the fortunes of that year’s crops.

The Uchiyama Hashiramatsuko, Minamikamo Hashiramatsuko, and the Hashiramatsu Saito Ritual at Kosuge Shrine are collectively designated as Selected Cultural Properties of Japan.

Source: 国指定文化財等データベース / 木島平村の無形民俗文化財～脈々と受け継がれる地域の伝統～ – めぐる木島平【公式】木島平村観光振興局

Festival highlights

A highlight is the lighting contest, in which children known as Matsumiko climb the hashiramatsu poles and strike flint to light them.

The side that catches fire first determines the omen: a win for the upper side signifies peace throughout the land, while a win for the lower side signifies a bountiful harvest.

In Uchiyama, people carry a and run around the fire; in Minamikamo, children take on roles such as “Okame” and “Tengu.”

A traditional festival of Northern Shinano where fire is contested and the harvest and peace throughout the land are divined

What to expect

For the 2026 events in Kijimadaira Village, the Uchiyama district procession sets off from Hachiman Shrine and heads to Dainichido Hall, while the Minamikamo district procession sets off from the Minamikamo Community Improvement Center and heads to Mount Otsuka.

Uchiyama’s event takes place at night, while Minamikamo’s is held in the afternoon. Each district has its own rituals and roles centered on lighting the hashiramatsu pole.

At the Hashiramatsu festival, participants compete to see who can light the pole first, and the result is taken as an omen of peace throughout the land and a bountiful harvest.

Source: 【2026年度は終了】木島平村の無形民俗文化財「柱松子」開催について – めぐる木島平【公式】木島平村観光振興局

Location and access

Venue and address: The Uchiyama Hashiramatsu Festival procession runs from Hachiman Shrine to Dainichido Hall; the Minamikamo Hashiramatsu Festival procession runs from the Minamikamo Community Improvement Center to Mount Otsuka.
By car: 各地区の会場周辺へ向かえます。
Parking: Parking is limited, so please follow each district’s instructions.

Event venue 長野県飯山市、木島平村八幡神社～大日堂

This map uses the venue name. Check the official guide for the event area and entrances.

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Dates and season

In 2026, the event was held in Kijimadaira Village’s Uchiyama district from 19:00 to around 21:00 on July 11 (Saturday), and in Minamikamo district from 15:00 to around 17:00 on August 2 (Sunday).

In Uchiyama, the procession sets off from Hachiman Shrine; in Minamikamo, it sets off from the Minamikamo Community Improvement Center.

The event in Iiyama’s Kosuge area is held once every 3 years, on a Sunday close to July 15.

Tips for your visit

As this event involves fire, do not get too close to the hashiramatsu poles or the moving mikoshi, and follow local guidance and staff instructions while watching.

The 2026 Kijimadaira Village guidance says parking is limited and asks visitors to follow each district’s parking instructions.

Since the venues and times differ between Uchiyama and Minamikamo, it is a good idea to check the event information for the district you plan to visit before setting out.

Origins and History of The Hashiramatsu Festival of Northern Shinano

The Hashiramatsu festival is said to have originated in the “contest of spiritual powers” held by practitioners of Shugendo.

In Iiyama’s Kosuge area, the event was held every year on July 15 until Showa 41. From Showa 43 onward, it was held once every 3 years, and from Heisei 1, the date was changed to a Sunday close to July 15.

In Uchiyama, Kijimadaira Village, the event is held every year on a Sunday close to July 14; in Minamikamo, it is held every year on a Sunday close to July 28.

Official information

The Kijimadaira Village Tourism Promotion Bureau provides information on the dates, times, venues, and parking for the 2026 Uchiyama and Minamikamo Hashiramatsu festivals.

For information on its status as a cultural property and an overview of the events, including the one in Iiyama’s Kosuge area, see the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ Database of Nationally Designated Cultural Properties.