A battle of flames and smoke as demons are driven away in the night at Dazaifu
Onisube
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2027/01/07Scheduled
- Season / frequency
- Every year on January 7 / Every year
- Location
- Dazaifu Tenmangu Onisube Hall and roadside route
- Area
- Fukuoka Prefecture・Dazaifu City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 50 min–2 h 10 min · flight time only)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
- 2026/11/11
Onisube, held every year at Dazaifu Tenmangu on January 7, is a shrine ritual in which parishioner volunteers use fire and smoke to drive out a demon and pray for protection from misfortune and good fortune.
About Onisube
Onisube is a ritual to ward off misfortune held every year at Dazaifu Tenmangu on January 7.
Parishioner volunteers are divided into the kusube, who drive out the demon; the oni-keigo, who protect it; and the oni-gakari, who surround it. They light a fire in front of the Onisube Hall and repeatedly clash.
This fire ritual, passed down in Dazaifu, is held at the start of the year to pray for protection from misfortune and good fortune.
Festival highlights
The highlight is the battle of flames and smoke staged at the Onisube Hall.
When the large torch sets the pine needles and straw alight, kusube use large fans to send smoke into the hall, while oni-keigo break through the plank walls to let the smoke out.
A distinctive feature is the scene in which the demon, bound at 48 points with thick rope, circles 7 and a half times inside the hall and 3 and a half times outside, before being subdued with roasted beans and a uezue staff.
A battle of flames and smoke as demons are driven away in the night at Dazaifu
What to expect
During the festival, volunteers carrying torches and large fans set out from each parishioner neighborhood. To the chant “Onja, onja,” they proceed from in front of Dazaifu Station along the approach, across the bridge, and into the .
After receiving a purification rite in front of the at the tower gate, they gather at the Onisube festival site and take on the roles of kusube, oni-keigo, and oni-gakari in the ritual battle.
At the end, the demon is paraded, roasted beans are thrown, and it is struck with a uezue staff to drive it away.
How to take part
General viewing is available, and you can watch the Onisube ritual from the shrine grounds or along the route.
In the ritual, parishioner volunteers take on the roles of kusube, who drive away the demon; oni-keigo, who protect it with torches; and oni-gakari.
Viewers do not take part in these roles; they are invited to watch the ritual.
View from the grounds of Dazaifu Tenmangu or along the roadside route.
No information is provided about advance registration or an admission fee for the Onisube ritual.
The distribution of wooden usokae charms is a participation method for a separate ritual, and is distinct from the viewing conditions for the Onisube ritual.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Dazaifu Tenmangu Onisube Hall and roadside route / 4-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka 818-0195
- Train and bus
About a 5-minute walk from Dazaifu Station on the Nishitetsu Dazaifu Line
- By car
About 20 minutes from the Dazaifu IC or Chikushino IC on the Kyushu Expressway
- Parking
Parking lots in the area available (fee charged)
Address 4-7-1 Saifu, Dazaifu, Fukuoka 818-0195
Dates and season
It is scheduled to take place on January 7, 2027 (Thursday).
The related shrine rituals are listed as follows: the Tsuina-sai at 3 p.m., the Onimen Kazari-sai at 5 p.m., and departures from various locations beginning at 7 p.m.
The fire-walking rite takes place toward the end, at around 9 p.m., and the Onisube ritual is held every year on January 7.
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 Fukuoka Prefecture / Dazaifu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The event takes place not only at the Onisube Hall but also along the route.
The shrine grounds and roadside are listed as viewing areas, so it is important to watch considerately, keeping the ritual’s progress and other worshippers in mind.
Visitors arriving by car are advised that parking lots in the area charge a fee.
Nearby attractions
九州国立博物館
福岡県大宰府市にある国立博物館
太宰府天満宮
福岡県太宰府市にある神社
竈門神社
福岡県太宰府市にある神社
Origins and History of Onisube
Onisube is said to have been started by Sugawara Sukemasa, Dazai Daini, in Kanna 2 (986).
From New Year’s Day, shrine priests perform purification rites, including abstinence and ritual bathing. The tradition is that on the night of the completion of these rites, parishioners divide into kusube and oni-keigo and engage in a battle of fire.
Dazaifu City lists it as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property designated in Showa 30 March 5.
Official information
The Dazaifu Tourism Association’s event information and Dazaifu Tenmangu’s official FAQ describe the Onisube ritual and viewing information.
For inquiries, contact the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Office (092-922-8225).
Onisube at a Glance
Onisube, held every year at Dazaifu Tenmangu on January 7, is a ritual to ward off misfortune known for its battle of fire and smoke.
Parishioner volunteers carry torches and large fans from in front of Dazaifu Station into the shrine grounds, where kusube and oni-keigo face off in front of the Onisube Hall.
This event is held to pray for protection from misfortune and good fortune, and is also designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Dazaifu City.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
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Article updated: 2026/11/11
