Otō Matsuri -- The Sacred Fire Festival

What Is Otō Matsuri?

February 6th is the day of "Otō Matsuri," a fire festival held at Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kamikura Shrine in Shingu City, Wakayama Prefecture. Designated as a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, it's known as one of Japan's most powerful fire rituals.

A Breathtaking Spectacle of Over 2,000 Men Racing Down the Mountain

Otō Matsuri is sometimes called "the festival for the manliest of men," owing to its sheer intensity.

• What happens: men in white robes, known as "agariko," gather at Kamikura Shrine carrying torches, then race down 538 steep stone steps together with their torches ablaze
• Scale of participation: more than 2,000 men take part each year, praying for a bountiful harvest and safety for their households
• Its cultural value: designated a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property for its solemnity and deep historical roots

A Scene Once Described as "A Waterfall of Fire, a Descending Dragon"

The sight of countless torches streaming down the stone steps all at once has long been described as a "waterfall of fire, a descending dragon" -- an almost otherworldly spectacle. This ritual, passed down through the mountains of Kumano, has deep historical ties to Shugendo, Japan's tradition of mountain asceticism.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Watch videos or photos of Otō Matsuri to experience its intensity
• Learn about the history of Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kamikura Shrine
• If you have the chance, visit Shingu City to see the festival in person
• Learn about the connection between the Kumano Sanzan shrines and Shugendo

A Story of Fire and Faith, Carried On for Over a Thousand Years

The countless torches lighting up the night mountains of Kumano still carry forward an ancient faith and a community's bond. Let February 6th be a chance to reflect on the long history of prayer behind this powerful fire festival.