The Yoshida Fire Festival is held every year on August 26 and 27 in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture.
Towering torches, some about three meters high, line the streets and are lit one by one as evening falls. We had seen the festival in photos before, but what surprised us most was how close visitors could get to the flames.
We visited the festival by car on August 26, 2026. Here is what we learned about its history, highlights, parking, crowds, food stalls and the best time to arrive.
- What is the Yoshida Fire Festival?
- Why is a fire festival also called a festival to calm fire?
- August 26 and 27 offer different experiences
- The Oyama Mikoshi represents Mt. Fuji
- Visiting the Yoshida Fire Festival by car in 2026
- Just over 10 minutes on foot from the temporary parking area
- The lighting began in front of us at 6:30 p.m.
- Large and small torches along the street
- Visitors can get surprisingly close to the flames
- Busy, but still comfortable to explore
- Food stalls line the torch route
- What to wear and bring
- Traveling by train
- Is it better to travel by car or train?
- Our impressions of the Yoshida Fire Festival
- Yoshida Fire Festival: Basic Information
What is the Yoshida Fire Festival?
The Yoshida Fire Festival, or Yoshida no Himatsuri, is associated with Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and Suwa Shrine, which stands within its grounds.
The two-day festival is held on August 26 and 27 every year, regardless of the day of the week.
With a history of more than 450 years, it is sometimes described as one of Japan’s three most unusual festivals. In 2012, it was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan for preserving traditions connected with the worship of Mt. Fuji.
Kamiyoshida, where the festival takes place, was once an important starting point for religious climbs of Mt. Fuji. During the Edo period, groups of pilgrims known as Fuji-ko traveled here from across the Kanto region.
They stayed at lodgings run by religious guides called oshi, purified themselves and prepared to climb the sacred mountain.
The festival developed in close connection with these pilgrimages. Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs describes it as an “end-of-the-mountain season” ceremony that corresponds with the opening of Mt. Fuji in July.
Traditionally, when the large torches were lit in town, fires were also lit at mountain huts on Mt. Fuji, connecting the mountain and the community below.
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Why is a fire festival also called a festival to calm fire?
The Yoshida Fire Festival is also known as Chinkasai, a festival held to calm or control fire.
It may seem strange that a festival with such enormous flames is associated with calming fire.
Today, Mt. Fuji is known for its peaceful and beautiful appearance. Over its long history, however, the volcano has erupted many times. People worshipped it as a sacred mountain while also praying for protection from its destructive power.
Several stories are associated with the origins of the festival.
One of the best known concerns Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess worshipped at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine. According to Japanese mythology, she set fire to the hut in which she was giving birth to prove her faithfulness, and safely delivered her children inside the flames.
This story connected the goddess with protection from fire and safe childbirth.
The festival, however, was originally centered on Suwa Shrine. Another local tradition links the torches to Takeminakata-no-kami, the deity of Suwa Shrine, who is said to have lit many torches during a battle.
There is no single confirmed explanation for the festival’s origin. Prayers to calm Mt. Fuji, ancient myths about fire, the traditions of Suwa Shrine and the history of religious climbing all helped shape the festival celebrated today.
August 26 and 27 offer different experiences
The Yoshida Fire Festival lasts for two days, but each day has a different character.
August 26: The night of the giant torches
On August 26, ceremonies are held at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and Suwa Shrine. Two portable shrines, or mikoshi, then leave the shrine and travel through the town.
In the evening, when the mikoshi reach the temporary resting place known as the otabisho, the large torches along Honcho Street and the surrounding area begin to be lit.
This is the night when the famous street of fire appears.
The main schedule in 2026 was as follows:
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 2:30 pm | Ceremonies at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and Suwa Shrine |
| 5:00 pm | Myojin Mikoshi and Oyama Mikoshi leave the shrine |
| Around 6:30 pm | Mikoshi arrive at the otabisho, followed by the lighting of the torches |
| 10:00 pm | Removal of the large torches begins |
The schedule may change, so check the official information for the year of your visit.
August 27: The Susuki Festival and the return of the mikoshi
The second day is known as the Susuki Festival.
The two mikoshi travel through Kamiyoshida again before returning to Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine in the evening.
At the shrine, the mikoshi move energetically around an area called Takamanohara. People carrying susuki grass as sacred offerings follow behind them.
If you want to see the long line of burning torches, visit on August 26. If you are more interested in the return of the mikoshi and the climax of the shrine rituals, August 27 is the main day to watch.
The Oyama Mikoshi represents Mt. Fuji
Two mikoshi travel through the town on August 26: the Myojin Mikoshi and the Oyama Mikoshi.
The Myojin Mikoshi resembles a more familiar Japanese portable shrine. The Oyama Mikoshi has a distinctive shape representing Mt. Fuji. It is also affectionately called Oyama-san, meaning “Mr. Mountain.”
During the procession, the Myojin Mikoshi must always travel first, followed by the Oyama Mikoshi. The order must not be reversed.
The Oyama Mikoshi is also known for being carried in a particularly energetic manner. When the carriers stop to rest, they traditionally drop it heavily onto the ground three times.
The enormous torches naturally attract the most attention. Knowing that a mikoshi representing Mt. Fuji also travels through the town makes the festival’s connection with mountain worship much easier to understand.
Visiting the Yoshida Fire Festival by car in 2026
We traveled to Fujiyoshida by car.
Extensive traffic restrictions were in place around the festival area, leaving only a limited number of roads open. Temporary parking areas were available, but it took us almost 30 minutes to find a space while avoiding closed roads.
We were eventually lucky enough to park in a temporary parking area near Fujiyoshida City Hall.
The locations and opening hours of temporary parking areas may change each year. If you plan to drive, check the latest traffic restriction map and identify several possible parking areas before you leave.
Driving close to the festival area before looking for parking may lead you directly into a road closure or a long detour. Allow extra time for parking rather than planning your arrival based only on the torch-lighting time.
Just over 10 minutes on foot from the temporary parking area
It took us a little over 10 minutes to walk from the temporary parking area near City Hall to the festival street.
The distance was not particularly long, but the road had a gentle uphill slope. It may take longer for small children or anyone wearing geta sandals or other unfamiliar footwear.
You will also spend time walking along the street to see the different torches after arriving. Even if you wear a yukata, comfortable footwear is a sensible choice.
The lighting began in front of us at 6:30 p.m.
We reached the Nakasone area at around 6:30 p.m., just as one of the large torches was being lit.
The torches were not all lit at once. Instead, they were set alight one by one along the street.
It looked as though the fire was slowly moving through the town. Some daylight remained when the lighting began, but the flames became much more vivid as the sky grew darker.
We arrived in time to see the lighting at 6:30 p.m. However, drivers should remember that finding parking may take longer than expected. If seeing the moment of ignition is important to you, allow at least 30 minutes of extra time.
Large and small torches along the street
The largest torches are approximately three meters high and one meter wide at the base. They are tightly bound into a shape that resembles a bamboo shoot.
During our visit, the large torches carried the names of local companies and businesses. They appeared to be spaced roughly seven meters apart, with smaller torches under one meter high placed between some of them.
In the past, the large torches were offered by oshi guides and Fuji-ko pilgrimage groups. Today, local businesses and shops are among their main sponsors.
The people supporting the festival have changed over time, but the custom of offering torches and carrying fire through the town continues.
Visitors can get surprisingly close to the flames
What surprised us most was the short distance between the flames and the spectators.
The large torches were not surrounded by high barriers. Visitors could walk close enough to hear the fire and feel its heat.
It felt a little frightening to imagine what might happen if the wind suddenly became stronger. Visitors, however, watched the flames while judging a safe distance for themselves.
Rather than controlling every movement with barriers and instructions, the festival seemed to depend on each person respecting the fire and paying attention to those around them.
The fact that such large fires can still be lit in a street lined with homes and shops says something about the relationship between the festival and the local community.
Depending on the wind, smoke, ash and sparks may drift toward spectators. Keep small children close and do not approach the flames more closely than is safe.
Busy, but still comfortable to explore
Many people joined the festival, but the street was not so crowded that we could not move.
There was enough space to walk past the large torches and stop when something caught our attention.
We also saw fewer people wearing yukata than expected.
Japanese summer festivals are often imagined as lively events filled with visitors in colorful yukata. The Yoshida Fire Festival felt more like a local religious celebration that residents return to every year.
We saw a small number of international visitors, but the festival did not feel staged for tourists. It felt as though visitors had been invited into a long-standing community tradition.
Food stalls line the torch route
Food stalls were set up along the street where the large torches stood.
During our visit in 2026, yakisoba noodles cost around ¥500, while baby castella cakes cost about ¥600. The prices felt reasonable and accessible to local residents.
The stalls were not gathered in a single food area. They continued along the torch route, allowing visitors to walk, eat and watch the torches being lit one after another.
Heat and smoke may drift across the street near the torches. Avoid getting too close to the flames while holding food, and stop somewhere that does not block the flow of people.
What to wear and bring
Although the festival is held in late August, Fujiyoshida is at a higher elevation than Tokyo, and the temperature may drop after dark. At the same time, the heat can be intense beside the large torches.
Wear layers that are easy to remove and choose comfortable walking shoes.
Sparks are another concern. Depending on the wind, ash and burning sparks may travel through the air. Avoid highly flammable fabrics and clothes that you would be upset to damage.
Useful items include:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A light jacket or extra layer
- Drinking water
- A towel for sweat or ash
- A portable phone charger
- Cash and coins
- A bag that leaves both hands free
Many people continue walking along the street after dark. Avoid carrying large luggage, long tripods or anything else that may obstruct other visitors.
Traveling by train
The nearest station is Mt. Fuji Station on the Fujikyu Railway Line.
The festival is not limited to Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine. The mikoshi leave the shrine and travel through the town, while the large torches are lit around Honcho Street. The festival area therefore covers a wide section of central Fujiyoshida.
Extra trains may operate on the festival day, but schedules and services vary from year to year. Mt. Fuji Station may become crowded after the festival, so check the return timetable in advance.
If you use an IC transport card such as Suica or PASMO, check its balance when you arrive.
Is it better to travel by car or train?
For first-time visitors, traveling by train is usually simpler because of the extensive road closures and the difficulty of finding parking.
A car may still be convenient for groups or for travelers combining the festival with other places around Mt. Fuji. If you drive, keep the following points in mind:
- Extensive road restrictions are introduced around the festival area
- Temporary parking areas may become full
- Finding a parking space may take around 30 minutes
- You will need to walk from the parking area
- Roads may be congested when visitors leave
The official traffic restriction map is normally released shortly before the festival. Do not rely only on information from the previous year. Check the latest official guidance before visiting.
Our impressions of the Yoshida Fire Festival
In photographs, the Yoshida Fire Festival looks like a dramatic night of enormous flames lining a dark street.
Walking through it revealed something more.
A mikoshi representing Mt. Fuji travels through the town. The large torches once offered by Fuji-ko pilgrims and oshi guides are now supported by local shops and businesses. Residents and visitors walk beside the same flames.
This is not a performance designed to keep spectators at a distance. It is a living festival that continues within a town shaped by generations of life beside Mt. Fuji.
On the night of August 26, fire gradually spreads through the town and an ordinary street becomes a path of flames. The Yoshida Fire Festival offers a glimpse of the long relationship between Mt. Fuji and the people who live at its foot.
Yoshida Fire Festival: Basic Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Yoshida Fire Festival and Susuki Festival |
| Date | August 26 and 27 every year |
| Main locations | Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, Suwa Shrine, Kamiyoshida and the Honcho Street area |
| August 26 highlights | Mikoshi procession and the lighting of the large torches |
| August 27 highlights | Mikoshi procession, Susuki Festival and the return to the shrine |
| Nearest station | Mt. Fuji Station, Fujikyu Railway Line |
| Admission | Free |
| Culture status | Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan |
| Official information | Fujiyoshida Tourism Guide |
Festival times, traffic restrictions, temporary parking and additional train services may change each year. Always check the latest official information before visiting.
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