Nakazato Hi no Hana Festival

A festival of Mount Fuji devotion and prayers through fire, passed down at the Fujizuka in Nakazato, Kiyose City. Chanting takes place at the Fujizuka, illuminated by lights, followed by the ritual burning of a huge straw torch.

About Nakazato Hi no Hana Festival

The Nakazato Hi no Hana Festival began as an event modeled on the Fire Festival in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture.

Lights illuminate the winding path up Nakazato Fujisan as members of the Fuji confraternity chant sutras known as “otsutae.”

Designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Tokyo, the festival preserves Mount Fuji devotion and the traditions of the local Fuji confraternity.

On the night of the festival, a ritual burning is held, in which a large straw structure shaped like Mount Fuji is set alight.

Festival highlights

Highlights include the lights illuminating the path to the top of the Fujizuka and the ritual burning held toward the end of the festival.

When the straw piled up in the shape of Mount Fuji is set alight, the flames soar high, creating a scene that seems to set the night sky ablaze.

It is said that standing near the ritual fire and scattering its ashes at the entrance to your home wards off fires and evil, while scattering them in a field brings a bountiful harvest.

The festival brings together the prayers of the Fuji confraternity and the people watching over the flames.

Kiyose’s fire festival, where lights and flames illuminate the Fujizuka

What to expect

The festival begins with members of the Fuji confraternity reciting “otsutae” and near the top of the Fujizuka.

Candles placed along the Fujizuka path are then lit, and members descend carrying lanterns and chanting “Namu Asama Daibosatsu.”

After they descend, purification rites and a ritual to protect the four directions are performed, and the huge straw torch at the foot of the Fujizuka is lit.

After the ritual burning, members of the confraternity climb the Fujizuka again, chanting “Rokkon Shōjō” (“Purification of the Six Senses”), and bow once before the shrine at the summit.

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event.

Location and access

Venue and address: Nakazato Fujizuka (Nakazato Fujisan) · 3-991 Nakazato, Kiyose City, Tokyo
Train and bus: About a 30-minute walk from the north exit of Kiyose Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line / From Seibu Bus stops 1 and 2, take a bus bound for Shiki Station South Exit or Asahigaoka Housing Complex; get off at Keyaki-dori and walk about 10 minutes / From Seibu Bus stop 3, take a bus bound for Daida Housing Complex; get off at Nakazato Yonchome and walk about 5 minutes
By car: Please do not come by car
Parking: None

Address 3-991 Nakazato, Kiyose City, Tokyo

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Dates and season

Season: Every year on September 1
Frequency: Every year

Accommodation and hotels PR

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 Tokyo Metropolis / Kiyose City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Tips for your visit

There is no parking at the venue, so please use public transportation.

The flames of the ritual burning can soar high, so keep your distance from the fire and watch from a safe place, following the instructions at the site.

Origins and History of Nakazato Hi no Hana Festival

The Nakazato Hi no Hana Festival is believed to have begun in imitation of the Fire Festival in Fujiyoshida.

Mount Fuji has long been a sacred mountain. In the past, however, it was difficult to travel all the way there to climb it, so Fujizuka—replicas of Mount Fuji—were built in many places.

Nakazato Fujisan, built during the Edo period, is a Tangible Folk Cultural Property designated by Tokyo. The festival is held by members of the Nakazato confraternity, part of the Maruyoshi-kō Bushū Tanashi group.

The Hi no Hana Festival was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Tokyo in Showa 60March.

Official information

Kiyose City Official Website: “Nakazato Hi no Hana Festival”

Nakazato Hi no Hana Festival at a Glance

The Nakazato Hi no Hana Festival is a fire ritual held at Nakazato Fujisan, where devotion to Mount Fuji has been passed down.

Lights are placed along the Fujizuka path. After members of the Fuji confraternity chant sutras and Buddhist invocations, they set fire to a huge torch made from piled-up straw.

The towering ritual flames and the ashes, said to ward off fires and evil and bring a bountiful harvest, are defining features of the festival.

Sources and references