A spirited mikoshi festival where sparks and sound fill the night, rooted in Gifu
Tegara no Himatsuri
The 2026 edition of Tegara no Himatsuri has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/04/11Ended
- Season / frequency
- The 2nd Saturday of April every year / Once a year
- Location
- Tegarao Shrine
- Area
- Gifu Prefecture・Gifu City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h–2 h 30 min · bullet train + connecting 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
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
At the Tegara no Himatsuri, fitted with gunpowder move through showers of sparks as bells and firecrackers fill the with sound. A spirited traditional celebration of fire and sound, passed down at Tegarao Shrine in Gifu City.
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Hide-sp File:Tedikara no himaturi natu 3.JPG / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Hide-sp File:Tedikara no himaturi natu 2.JPG / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Hide-sp File:Tedikara no himaturi natu 4.JPG / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.About Tegara no Himatsuri
The Tegara no Himatsuri is a fire festival held at Tegarao Shrine in Gifu City.
Bare-chested men carry mikoshi fitted with gunpowder and dance through falling sparks.
A signature local tradition, it has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Gifu Prefecture.
The large hung across the on the shrine approach is another highlight.
Festival highlights
The main highlight is the decorated mikoshi moving through sparks from the waterfall fireworks.
When the gunpowder fitted to the mikoshi is ignited, sparks also shoot up from the mikoshi itself.
The sound of bells and the roar of firecrackers combine in a powerful spectacle where fire and sound become one.
A large shimenawa, approximately 12.5 meters long, is also hung across the approach to the shrine for the festival.
A spirited mikoshi festival where sparks and sound fill the night, rooted in Gifu
What to expect
The festival begins with the arrival of nagamochi carried by each neighborhood, followed by decorated mikoshi entering the shrine grounds.
When the lights in the lanterns are lit, the waterfall fireworks begin, followed by a display of decorated mikoshi from each neighborhood.
The program then moves on to handheld fireworks, set-piece fireworks, and mountain-burning fireworks, bringing the nighttime rites to a close.
The experience is defined not only by the sparks, but also by the powerful sound of bells and firecrackers.
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
参加費：無料
Location and access
- Venue and address
Tegarao Shrine (6-8-22 Kuramae, Gifu City)
- Train and bus
Take the Kakamigahara Line from Meitetsu Gifu Station, get off at Tegara Station, and walk for 5 minutes.
According to the 2026 event information, the one-way fare is 250 yen.
- Parking
There is no parking.
Visitors are advised to use public transportation.
Source: 手力の火祭（岐阜県／岐阜市）｜開催期間・アクセス｜るるぶ&more.
Address 6-8-22 Kuramae, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The 2026 event was scheduled to be held at Tegarao Shrine on April 11 (Saturday).
The festival is usually held on the 2nd Saturday of April. The arrival of nagamochi and decorated mikoshi begins in the afternoon, followed at night by fireworks and mikoshi events at the heart of the fire festival.
The 2026 event information states that the festival will be postponed in the event of rain.
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 Gifu Prefecture / Gifu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As the festival involves sparks and firecrackers at close range, take care around sparks and loud noises in the viewing area.
There is no parking at the venue, so visitors are advised to use the Meitetsu Line.
The 2026 event information states that the festival will be postponed in the event of rain, so the date may change depending on the weather.
As the event continues into the night, it is a good idea to check your return transportation in advance.
Nearby attractions
Fireflies near the Itaya River and Hachioji Shrine are mentioned as nearby attractions for festivalgoers.
Gifu City sightseeing information also lists cormorant fishing and Gifu Castle as attractions.
If you plan to visit them along with the festival, check each facility’s operating status and hours in advance.
三甲美術館
岐阜県岐阜市にある美術館
加藤栄三・東一記念美術館
岐阜県岐阜市にある美術館
写真：Douggers at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5
Photo source ·
名和昆虫博物館
岐阜県岐阜市にある博物館
奥の細道むすびの地記念館
日本の岐阜県大垣市にある記念館
岐阜公園
岐阜市の公園
写真：Douggers at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5
Photo source ·
岐阜市歴史博物館
岐阜県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
写真：Douggers at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5
Photo source ·
岐阜市科学館
岐阜県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
岐阜県美術館
岐阜県の博物館・美術館のスポットです。
水の資料館
岐阜県岐阜市にある上水道に関する資料館
金神社
岐阜市にある神社
鵜飼資料園
岐阜県岐阜市にある長良川鵜飼に関する資料館
Origins and History of Tegara no Himatsuri
The origins of the Tegara no Himatsuri are unclear, but the festival is said to have flourished during the Edo period before being suspended for a time due to disputes during the Meiwa era.
It was revived in Bunka 2 and has continued since then, changing its form over the years.
The program has evolved with the times, from launch fireworks held until the Meiji period to floats used until the Showa period.
The current decorated mikoshi began to appear around the early Showa 40s.
Official information
Venue, transportation, and the usual program are covered by the Gifu City Tourism Navi.
Details of the cultural property designation and history can be found on the Cultural Heritage Division page of the Gifu Prefecture official website.
A phone number for the Gifu Tegara Himatsuri Supporters’ Association is also provided as a contact.
Tegara no Himatsuri at a Glance
The Tegara no Himatsuri is a traditional event held at Tegarao Shrine, where decorated mikoshi are showered with sparks amid fireworks, bells, and firecrackers.
The 2026 event was scheduled for April 11 (Saturday), and the venue is a 5-minute walk from Meitetsu Tegara Station.
There is no parking, so visitors are generally advised to use public transportation.
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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