Nachi Fire Festival (Nachi no Ogi Matsuri) 2026
Twelve fan-shaped portable shrines representing the gods meet a procession of giant 50-kilogram flaming torches before Japan's tallest waterfall — one of the country's three great fire festivals.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/07/14 01:00 – 2026/07/14
- Where
- Kumano Nachi Taisha & Nachi-no-Otaki Waterfall (Hiro Shrine)（Nachisan, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama）
- City
- Across Japan
- Getting there
- From JR Kii-Katsuura Station take the Kumano Kotsu bus to the Nachi-no-Taki area (about 30 minutes), then a short walk to the waterfall.
- Price
- Free
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- From JR Kii-Katsuura Station take the Kumano Kotsu bus to the Nachi-no-Taki area (about 30 minutes), then a short walk to the waterfall. Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers
Highlights
- Twelve giant pine torches weighing about 50kg each, carried up the stone path in clouds of fire and sparks
- Twelve ogi-mikoshi fan-shaped portable shrines, decorated with gold fans and mirrors to evoke the waterfall
- The Nachi Dengaku ritual dance, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Background & story
Held every July 14 at Kumano Nachi Taisha, the festival re-enacts the descent of the gods to the sacred Nachi waterfall, purifying the fan-shaped shrines with fire — a rite tied to the shrine's ancient founding.
Good to know
The main torch ritual peaks around 2pm; arrive by late morning to secure a spot on the stone steps. The site is steep and gets very hot, so bring water and good shoes.