Mt. Takao Hiwatari-sai Festival 2025 in Tokyo

The Mt. Takao Hiwatari-sai Festival, held annually on the second Sunday in March, offers visitors a rare glimpse into traditional Japanese ascetic practices. This unique event, featuring fire-walking rituals by Buddhist monks, combines spirituality, cultural heritage, and community participation.

Fire-Walking Rituals and Activities

The heart of the festival is the fire-walking ritual performed by yamabushi, or ascetic Buddhist monks. The event kicks off at 1 pm and continues until approximately 3:30 pm. It begins with the lighting of a large bonfire, where wooden prayer tablets inscribed with wishes are burned. As the flames rise, monks chant prayers and perform purification rituals, culminating in the barefoot walk across smoldering coals. This powerful act symbolizes cleansing, the dispelling of misfortune, and prayers for world peace.

Visitors are invited to participate in the ritual after the fire has been extinguished. The embers are cooled to a safe temperature, allowing members of the public to walk across the sacred ground. For those wishing to contribute, wooden prayer tablets can be purchased for 200 yen to add their names and wishes to the ceremonial fire. Observers, too, are believed to receive good fortune simply by witnessing the ritual.

To secure a good viewing spot, attendees are encouraged to arrive an hour early. The area is also bustling with festival stalls offering delicious food items like takoyaki, fried chicken, and chocolate bananas, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Location and Access

Visitors can enjoy free admission to this festival, which takes place in a car park near Takaosanguchi Station, rather than at the Yakuo-in Temple itself. To reach the venue, attendees can take the Keio Line from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, with the journey taking about an hour at a cost of ¥390. Upon arrival at Takaosanguchi Station, the festival site is just a short 5-minute walk away.

Historical and Cultural Significance

The Hiwatari-sai Festival is deeply rooted in Japanese Buddhist traditions. It is hosted by Yakuo-in Temple, located atop Mt. Takao, which is recognized as one of the three main temples of the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism in the Kanto region. The festival’s origins trace back to ascetic practices aimed at purifying the body and soul, warding off evil spirits, and praying for safety and longevity.