Name: Shimauchi Torii Fire
Start: 2026-04-11
End: 2026-04-11
Location: Western slope of Torii-yama

A traditional in which torch flames outline a torii at Torii-yama in Shimauchi, Matsumoto City. It is carried out by from three neighborhood associations, who pray for a good harvest and for their wishes to come true.

About Shimauchi Torii Fire

The Shimauchi Torii Fire is a dramatic shinji passed down at Torii-yama in Shimauchi, Matsumoto City.

It is designated a Matsumoto City Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and is mentioned in historical documents, including the Shinpu Toki, compiled by the Matsumoto Domain during the Edo period.

The event is carried out by three neighborhood associations whose members are ujiko of Omiya and Takemiya Jinja. They use torch flames to form a torii and pray for a good harvest and for their wishes to come true.

Festival highlights

The highlight is the scene in which torch flames outline a large torii on the western slope of Torii-yama.

Following a signal, participants carrying torches wave the flames to form the characters 「上」, 「大」, and 「十」, with each neighborhood association creating one.

Torii-yama is a small hill 743 meters above sea level, and the event information says the Torii Fire can also be seen from western Matsumoto and Azumino City.

A shinji in which flames from torches form a torii and carry Shimauchi’s prayers into the night sky

What to expect

Participants carrying torches gather at Torii-yama at 7:30 p.m. on the day of the event and receive instructions from the lead guide.

At 8 p.m., fireworks signal the lighting of the torches; participants wave the flames to form a torii.

Participants make the torches. In the past, they mixed reeds with split wood or mulberry sticks; in recent years, the torches have changed to poles with cloth soaked in kerosene attached to the tips.

Location and access

Venue and address: Torii-yama (Shimauchi, Matsumoto City)

Address Shimauchi, Matsumoto City

Travel by taxi PRFind a taxi or private transfer for your journey.Find a taxi on Kiwitaxi Long-distance buses are another option PRFind routes and fares from your departure point to your destination.Find highway buses on Rakuten Travel

Dates and season

2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)

It was reported to have been held on April 11 in 2026.

According to the usual description, the three neighborhood associations—Machi, Tōhō, and Hoppō—took turns over three nights from April 14 through the 16th. In 2026, however, it was held for just 1 day, on a Saturday.

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 Nagano Prefecture / Matsumoto City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)

Supported by Rakuten Developers

Nearby attractions

Museums · 美術館の汎用イラスト（AI生成 · 実際の施設ではありません） — Illustration for reference

飛騨山脈南部の長野県松本市と岐阜県高山市にまたがる山

Visit the official page ↗

Photo and data sources

写真：Alpsdake / Public domain

Photo source ·

Facility data source

Origins and History of Shimauchi Torii Fire

The Shimauchi Torii Fire is introduced in works such as the Shinpu Toki, compiled by the Matsumoto Domain during the Edo period, as one of the “Matsumoto Torii Fires” passed down since ancient times.

Torches have changed from split wood rich in resin or mulberry sticks mixed with reeds to poles with cloth soaked in kerosene attached to the tips.

On March 11, 1992, it was designated a Matsumoto City Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Official information

Matsumoto City official website, “Shimauchi Torii Fire”