Nambu Fire Festival

Festival highlights

A highlight is the torch-throwing event, in which lit torches are thrown into a straw “beehive” at the tip of a pole more than a dozen meters tall.

The large bonfire, built from around 30,000 sotoba memorial tablets, rises into a towering blaze as sutras are chanted.

The 108 fires lining both banks of the Fuji River for about 2 kilometers are lit all at once, and around 3,000 fireworks light up the night sky to close the festival.

A night of prayerful flames and fireworks along the Fuji River

What to expect

In 2026, the program began with a stage show at 3 p.m., followed by the opening declaration, Nambu Fire Festival drums, torch throwing, lantern floating, the lighting of the large bonfire, and the lighting of the 108 fires.

Fireworks began at 8:15 p.m., and Bon Odori was also held.

For the 108-fire-making experience, participants were instructed to gather in the morning, assemble the structures with guidance from local residents, and light them at night.

Source: なんぶの火祭り2026｜観光｜山梨県南部町ホームページ

How to take part

General visitors can watch the festival events at the venue on the banks of the Fuji River.

In 2026, open registration was also offered to groups wishing to make and light the traditional 108 fires.

Registration for the experience has closed, and information on taking part in it is provided separately from information on regular festival viewing.

The 108-fire-making experience was offered to groups. Participants gathered at the main venue in the morning to make the structures, then returned at night to light them.

Registration for the 2026 experience has closed.

For regular visitors, the guidance is to come to the venue and watch the various events.

Check participation details

Location and access

Venue and address

On the Fuji River riverbed, upstream and downstream of Nanbu Bridge.

The festival is held at a venue along the Fuji River.

Train and bus

Walking directions are available from Utsubuna Station on the JR Minobu Line.

Travel times vary depending on your destination within the venue, so check the 2026 map of the area around the venue.

By car

The Minami-Nambu Interchange on the Chubu-Odan Expressway is expected to be congested, so use of the Tomizawa or Minobusan Interchange is recommended.

Nanbu Bridge will be closed to traffic from August 15, 20267:45 p.m.

Parking

Around 15 paid parking areas are planned in town, costing 500 yen per vehicle.

Address Along the Fuji River, upstream and downstream of Nambu Bridge, Nambu, Nanbu Town, Minamikoma District, Yamanashi Prefecture

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Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed event dates have passed)

The 2026 festival was held on August 15 (Saturday), with a stage show starting at 3 p.m.

After the opening declaration at 6:30 p.m., drums, torch throwing, lantern floating, the large bonfire, and the 108 fires followed, with fireworks scheduled to begin at 8:15 p.m.

The 2026 event information lists 8:45 p.m. as the end time for the fireworks.

Accommodation and hotels PR

Tips for your visit

Traffic restrictions are in place around the venue on the day. From 7:45 p.m., even pedestrians cannot cross Nambu Bridge.

Visitors arriving by car are advised to avoid congestion at Nambu IC and use Tomizawa IC or Minobusan IC.

Check the map of the area around the venue for parking, road closures, and one-way streets before your visit.

Origins and History of Nambu Fire Festival

The origins of the Nambu Fire Festival are said to date back to around the Genroku era, when boat traffic on the Fuji River flourished.

It became associated with Bon Festival farewell fires and ceremonies to pray for those who died in the river. The torch-throwing event also carries the meaning of mushi-okuri: driving away rice pests with fire.

While similar events once held in various places along the lower Fuji River have declined, the festival continues in a large-scale form in Nambu.

Source: 【コミュニティブログ】「南部の火祭り」がすごい！一夜を彩る祈りの炎 | トピックス | 南山梨Hello!Morning!-ハイクオリティやまなし特設サイト

Official information

The Nanbu Town Hall tourism page provides information on the 2026 event date, schedule for the day, map of the area around the venue, traffic restrictions, parking, and the 108-fire-making experience.

For inquiries, contact the Nambu Fire Festival Executive Committee Secretariat (Nanbu Town Hall, Industrial Promotion Division, 0556-66-2111).

Nambu Fire Festival at a Glance

The Nambu Fire Festival is a traditional event associated with Bon Festival farewell fires, prayers for the souls of those lost in the river, and the driving away of crop pests.

Torches are thrown, a large bonfire is lit, lanterns are floated down the river, and 108 fires on both banks of the Fuji River illuminate the riverside at night, followed by fireworks.

In 2026, it was held on August 15 at the venue along the Fuji River, upstream and downstream of Nambu Bridge.