A fire festival passed down in Tomonoura, with people carrying flames up the stone steps
Otebi Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year
- Location
- Numakuma Shrine
- Area
- Hiroshima Prefecture・Fukuyama City(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h 50 min–4 h 20 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
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
A traditional fire festival held at Numakuma Shrine in Tomo, Fukuyama City, ahead of the procession. The highlight is the striking sight of people carrying the Otebi up the stone steps.
About Otebi Festival
Otebi Festival is a fire festival held at Numakuma Shrine in Ushiroji, Tomo, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
It has been passed down as a purification rite in which fire cleanses the route ahead of the mikoshi procession.
It is designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Fukuyama City and is one of Tomonoura’s signature traditional events.
The sight of people carrying a large torch up the stone steps is the festival’s main highlight.
Source: お手火祭り - Wikipedia
Festival highlights
The biggest highlight is watching the roughly 150-kilogram Otebi being carried up the stone steps of Numakuma Shrine.
Sparks fly from the blazing torch as you watch the carriers press forward with powerful strides from nearby.
The procession of flames through the at night and the excitement that continues until late at night shape the festival’s atmosphere.
Three Otebi torches are prepared and carried in succession.
Source: 鞆の祭・行事 - 福山市ホームページ / 祭りについて | VISIT鞆の浦
A fire festival passed down in Tomonoura, with people carrying flames up the stone steps
What to expect
The festival proceeds with the sacred fire transferred to the Shinzenteibi, then from there to the Otebi.
Attendants dressed in white carry the Otebi up the stone steps of Numakuma Shrine, making their way toward the .
After the Shinto rites at the worship hall, the Otebi is carried through the neighborhood, and its fire is passed to smaller tebi torches used to purify each home.
A series of acts connected with fire and the mikoshi continues before and after the rites.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Numakuma Shrine (1225 Ushiroji, Tomo, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture).
- Train and bus
Take the Tomotetsu Tomo Line bus from the south exit of JR Fukuyama Station, get off at “Tomo-no-Ura,” then walk about 10 minutes.
Source: お手火神事 | 【公式】広島の観光・旅行情報サイト Dive! Hiroshima
Address 1225 Ushiroji, Tomo, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Dates and season
- 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 Hiroshima Prefecture / Fukuyama City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The Otebi is a large torch weighing about 150 kilograms, carried up the stone steps as it scatters sparks.
When watching, keep a safe distance from the flames and sparks, and view the event from a place that does not obstruct its progress.
The event takes place at night, and some information says the excitement continues until late at night, so it is a good idea to check your transportation options for the return trip in advance.
Nearby attractions
いろは丸展示館
広島県福山市鞆町にある博物館
ふくやま美術館
広島県福山市の福山城公園にある美術館
ホロコースト記念館
広島県福山市にある博物館
備後護国神社
広島県福山市の福山城北側にある護国神社
吉備津神社
広島県福山市にある神社
広島県立歴史博物館
広島県福山市の福山城公園にある博物館
Numakuma Shrine
広島県福山市鞆町後地にある神社
福山八幡宮
広島県福山市にある神社
福山自動車時計博物館
広島県福山市にある博物館
Origins and History of Otebi Festival
The origins of Otebi Festival are unknown, but shrine records on the mikoshi and other sources suggest it was held as early as the Kamakura period.
It was held from 1573 to 1592, then discontinued for over 300 years before being revived in 1917.
It used to be held on day 4 of lunar month 6.
It was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Fukuyama City in 1973.
Official information
Numakuma Shrine, the venue, is listed as a source of information about the Otebi ritual.
For information about when the event is held or whom to contact about the venue, check the information from Numakuma Shrine.
Otebi Festival at a Glance
Otebi Festival is a traditional fire festival held in Tomo, Fukuyama City, where fire is used to purify the route ahead of the mikoshi procession at Numakuma Shrine.
The sight of people carrying the roughly 150-kilogram Otebi up the stone steps as it scatters sparks has a distinctive dramatic impact.
Although its origins are unknown, it is believed to have been passed down since the Kamakura period and was revived after a long hiatus.
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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