The lights of prayer flickering at Iwayado, accompanied by Tsugaru festival music
Sawada Candle Festival
The 2026 edition of Sawada Candle Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/03/03Ended
- Season / frequency
- Little New Year according to the lunar calendar (day 15 of lunar month 1) / Every year
- Location
- Sawada Shinmeigu (Iwayado)
- Area
- Aomori Prefecture・Hirosaki City(From Tokyo: approx. 3 h–3 h 30 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.
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
This festival of prayer takes place at night on the Little New Year according to the lunar calendar at Sawada Shinmeigu, in the mountainous Soma district of Hirosaki City. Candles are lit on the rock face of Iwayado, and people pray for the safety of their households and abundant harvests.
About Sawada Candle Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: もち太郎3 File:沢田ろうそくまつり.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: もち太郎3 File:沢田ろうそくまつりの様子２.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: もち太郎3 File:沢田ろうそくまつりの様子３.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Sawada Candle Festival is a traditional event held on the Little New Year according to the lunar calendar at Sawada Shinmeigu, in the mountainous Soma district of Hirosaki City.
Candles are placed on the natural rock face of Iwayado, and their flames are offered in prayer for abundant harvests and the safety of the household.
It is held on the eve of the grand festival at Sawada Shinmeigu, carrying the prayers and faith of the local community into the present day.
Festival highlights
The highlight is the candlelight lined along the rock face of Iwayado.
Countless flames flicker amid the snowy landscape, casting an otherworldly glow over Iwayado.
A procession carrying torches and a performance of Tozan-bayashi festival music are also held, making for a night of festival lights and sounds.
Source: 沢田ろうそくまつり｜弘前市観光情報サイト きてみて、ひろさき。ここみて、弘前
The lights of prayer flickering at Iwayado, accompanied by Tsugaru festival music
What to expect
Visitors walk up a slope to Iwayado, place candles inside the shrine, and pray for the safety of their households, abundant harvests, and other blessings.
As a rule, visitors are expected to light their own candles rather than take fire from candles that are already lit.
The candles burn all night. The following day, people read the year’s fortunes from the shape and drips of the melted wax.
How to take part
General visitors can also place candles at Iwayado and offer their flames with a wish.
People pray for things such as household safety and a bountiful harvest, as well as success in exams and prosperity for their companies.
When placing a candle, please respect local customs and take part in a way that is appropriate for this prayerful festival setting.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Sawada Shinmeigu (18 Sonemura, Oaza Sawada, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture).
- Train and bus
JA相馬村湯口支所から送迎シャトルバスが運行され、行きは17:10・19:20、帰りは沢田神明宮発18:40・20:40です。
- By car
It is 17.5 km and a 50-minute drive from Hirosaki Station, and 8 km and a 20-minute drive from the Soma General Branch Office.
- Parking
Free parking is available near Sawada Shinmeigu.
Address 18 Sonemura, Oaza Sawada, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 Event Information (The listed dates have passed)
2026年は3月3日（火）17:00～20:30に開催される案内でした。
It takes place at night on day 15 of lunar month 1, the Little New Year according to the lunar calendar, and the grand festival at Sawada Shinmeigu follows the next day.
As this is a nighttime event, the schedule centers on enjoying the candlelight at Iwayado and the torches.
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 Aomori Prefecture / Hirosaki City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
The venue is reached by walking uphill to Iwayado, so comfortable, slip-resistant shoes are recommended.
開催時間は17:00から20:30までで、雪景色のなかでろうそくやたいまつの火を見守る夜の行事です。
If you place a candle, take care when handling the flame and quietly respect the place of prayer at Iwayado.
Nearby attractions
堀越城
青森県の城・史跡のスポットです。
写真：MChew / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
大森勝山遺跡
青森県弘前市にある縄文時代の環状列石を主体とする集落遺跡
写真：MChew / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
岩木山神社
青森県弘前市にある神社
写真：nnh / Public domain(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
弘前れんが倉庫美術館
青森県弘前市にある現代美術館
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
弘前八幡宮
弘前市にある神社
写真：AT@wiki from Japan / CC BY-SA 2.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
弘前公園
青森県弘前市にある公園
写真：Feri88 / CC BY 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
弘前市立博物館
青森県弘前市にある博物館
写真：663highland / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
弘前市立郷土文学館
青森県弘前市にある文学館
写真：掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
揚亀園
青森県弘前市の津軽藩ねぷた村にある日本庭園
写真：663highland / CC BY 2.5(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
旧第五十九銀行本店本館
青森県弘前市にある歴史的建造物
写真：Kaburamata / CC0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
津軽藩ねぷた村
青森県弘前市にある観光施設
写真：津軽藩ねぷた村 / CC BY-SA 3.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
瑞楽園
青森県の公園・庭園のスポットです。
写真：MChew / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Sawada Candle Festival
The Sawada Candle Festival is described as an event that has continued for approximately 450 years or more.
According to one legend about its origins, the festival began when descendants of Heike survivors who fled after their defeat at Dan-no-ura held rites for the spirits of their ancestors.
In the 1970s, the local government office and chamber of commerce promoted the festival as a tourist attraction. Since the 2006 merger with Hirosaki City, a committee of local volunteers has organized it.
Source: 沢田ろうそくまつり - Wikipedia
Official information
For official or public information on event details, the venue, and access, the Aomori Prefecture Tourism Information website, the Hirosaki City Tourism Information website, and the official website of the Soma district of Hirosaki City are listed.
The 2026 event was to be held at Sawada Shinmeigu, and the organizer was the Sawada Candle Festival Executive Committee.
Sawada Candle Festival at a Glance
The Sawada Candle Festival is an event held on the Little New Year according to the lunar calendar at Sawada Shinmeigu in the Soma district of Hirosaki City, where people light candles on the rock face of Iwayado and pray.
Its features include candles and a torch procession flickering in the snowy night, as well as Tozan-bayashi festival music; the following day, people read the year’s fortunes from the shape of the wax.
In 2026, the event was scheduled for March 3.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
