Omihachiman Fire Festival

The Omihachiman Fire Festival is a tradition of fire passed down through the town and shrine, featuring Sagicho floats and torches.

About Omihachiman Fire Festival

The Omihachiman Fire Festival is a collective name for the Sagicho Festival and the Torch Festival, traditions passed down by the parishioners of Himure Hachimangu Shrine.

The Sagicho Festival is held in March, and the Torch Festival in April. Both are large-scale annual events involving fire.

The procession of Sagicho floats through town and the event in which large and small torches are carried to the shrine and lit all at once together shape the local culture of Omihachiman.

Source: 国指定文化財等データベース

Festival highlights

Highlights include the elaborately decorated Sagicho and the sacred fire that illuminates the night sky.

The Sagicho “” are decorated with grains and dried foods such as beans, sesame seeds, kelp, and dried shrimp, in designs inspired by the zodiac. Neighborhoods compete to create the finest displays.

At the Torch Festival, more than 30 large and small torches are carried, led by a giant torch with an umbrella-shaped decoration, and all are lit at once to the sound of drums.

A festival of fire passed down in Omihachiman, brought to life by Sagicho floats and torches

What to expect

At the Sagicho Festival, young men carry elaborately decorated Sagicho floats through town before offering them to the sacred fire at the shrine.

The following day, they parade through the old town and take part in contests called “kenka,” in which Sagicho floats push against one another.

At the Torch Festival, torches are brought from districts in the surrounding rural areas to Himure Hachimangu Shrine and lit to the sound of drums.

Source: 左義長まつり／近江八幡市

How to take part

Visitors can watch the event.

Location and access

Venue and address

The festival is centered on Himure Hachimangu Shrine (257 Miyauchi-cho, Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture).

The Sagicho Festival procession also passes through the old town.

Train and bus

Take an Ohmi Bus from Omihachiman Station on the JR Biwako Line and get off at Obatacho Shiryokan-mae.

Another guide says to take a bus from Omihachiman Station for about 7 minutes, get off at Hachiman-bori, and walk for 5 minutes.

By car

About 30 minutes from the Ryuo Interchange on the Meishin Expressway.

Parking

Obata Tourist Parking Lot and Taga Tourist Parking Lot are available.

Traffic restrictions and other factors can cause congestion during the Sagicho Festival, and parking may be limited, so visitors are advised to use public transportation.

Source: 【2026】左義長まつり｜イベント｜【公式】近江八幡市観光情報サイト / 左義長まつり | 滋賀県観光情報［公式観光サイト］滋賀・びわ湖のすべてがわかる！

Address 257 Miyauchi-cho, Omihachiman City, Shiga Prefecture

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Dates and season

The Sagicho Festival is usually held in March, and the Torch Festival in April.

The 2026 Sagicho Festival took place on March 14 and the 15th. The first day featured a procession, while the following day included a parade, “kenka” contests, and offerings to the sacred fire.

The 2026 dates for the full “Omihachiman Fire Festival,” including the Torch Festival, need to be confirmed separately.

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 Shiga Prefecture / Omihachiman City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

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Tips for your visit

Sparks may fly when the Sagicho floats are offered to the sacred fire or the torches are lit during the Torch Festival.

The area around the venue can be crowded because of the events and traffic restrictions, and parking may be limited during the Sagicho Festival, so allow plenty of time for your journey.

滋賀県近江八幡市にある博物館

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写真：663highland / CC BY 2.5

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Origins and History of Omihachiman Fire Festival

The Sagicho Festival is said to have originated when a festival once held in the castle town of Azuchi was dedicated to Himure Hachimangu Shrine by people who moved from Azuchi to the castle town of Hachimanyama.

The national database describes the Sagicho as an old event with records dating back to Hoei 2 (1705), and states that from Meiji 8 onward it came to be held in March.

The Omihachiman Fire Festival is also distinctive for preserving the Sagicho Festival and the Torch Festival together as a combined tradition.

Official information

The National Cultural Properties Database, Omihachiman City, the Omihachiman Tourism Association’s visitor information site, and Shiga Tourism Information provide overviews and event details for the Omihachiman Fire Festival and the Sagicho Festival.

The Sagicho Festival preservation society also provides visitor information, including details about the venue, transportation, and parking.