Highlights
- Torch-bearing attackers storm the shrine while men of the unlucky ages defend it — 42-year-olds on top, 25-year-olds below
- First lanterns, made to celebrate the birth of a first son, are offered to the shrine and burn with it
- On January 13, the sacred trees are hauled down into the village
Background & story
Officially the Dosojin Matsuri and a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Every January 15, men of the unlucky ages 42 and 25 defend the shrine, celebrating the birth of first children, warding off evil and praying for happy marriages (Nozawa Onsen tourism bureau; nozawa-onsen.com).
The Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival (Dosojin Matsuri) is held every January 15 — in 2027 that is Friday, January 15. In 2026 the fire battle around the shrine began at about 8:30 pm and ran to about 10 pm. Entry was by admission ticket, issued only to residents and guests staying in the village. The 2027 times and viewing rules have not been announced yet (Nozawa Onsen tourism bureau official page, checked 2026-10-13).
How January 15, 2026 ran (approximate times)
The 2027 times are not yet announced. These are the times the organisers gave for 2026.
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 7:00 pm | Fire source ceremony (the flame is struck with flint and passed to great torches) |
| 7:30 pm | First lanterns arrive |
| 8:00 pm | Fireworks, Dosojin taiko, the fire source sets out |
| ~8:30 pm | Fire source arrives; lighting by the head of the Nozawa Group |
| 8:35 pm | Children's lighting |
| 8:50 pm | Adults' lighting — the battle for the shrine |
| ~10:00 pm | Ends |
Two days earlier, on January 13, the sacred trees are hauled down into the village (from around 1:00 pm in 2026).
Who can watch (2026 rules)
- Admission was restricted to admission ticket holders. Tickets were issued only to residents of Nozawa Onsen Village and guests staying in the village who wished to view — you asked your lodging.
- Only villagers take part in the fire lighting ("Hitsuke"); visitors may only watch.
- No beverages, including alcohol, may be brought into the site.
- Drones are forbidden near or within the festival site.
- No price is stated by the organisers.
- The 2027 rules are not yet announced. Check the official page (https://nozawakanko.jp/event/the-nozawa-onsen-dosojin-festival/).
Getting there
- Train + bus: Hokuriku Shinkansen to Iiyama Station, then the direct "Nozawa Onsen Liner" bus, about 25 minutes.
- By car: in 2026 every road in Nozawa Onsen was designated a no-parking zone. Check the official page for festival-day traffic restrictions.
Before you go
- Book a room early: viewing assumes an overnight stay in the village.
- You will stand outdoors in snow at night — dress very warmly.
- In the same corner of Nagano, the Jigokudani snow monkeys are a classic winter side trip.
Sources (checked 2026-10-13)
- Nozawa Onsen Mountain Resort Tourism Bureau, "The Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Festival": https://nozawakanko.jp/event/the-nozawa-onsen-dosojin-festival/
- Nozawa Onsen Mountain Resort Tourism Bureau, "Access": https://nozawakanko.jp/access/
- tabi-mag, "野沢温泉『道祖神まつり』｜2026": https://tabi-mag.jp/nozawadousojin/
- Nozawa Holidays, "Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival": https://nozawa-onsen.com/nozawa-fire-festival/
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Direct "Nozawa Onsen Liner" bus from Iiyama Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen), about 25 minutes (Nozawa Onsen tourism bureau and tabi-mag, checked 2026-10-13). In 2026 every road in Nozawa Onsen was designated a no-parking zone (official page); check it for festival-day traffic restrictions. Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Check tickets and details on the official page (button above).
- Paying
- In 2026, admission was restricted to admission ticket holders, and tickets were issued only to residents of Nozawa Onsen Village and guests staying in the village (ask your lodging). No price is stated by the organisers. 2027 viewing rules not yet announced (checked 2026-10-13).. Smaller venues in Japan are often cash-first — carry some yen (cards/IC not guaranteed).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers
Good to know
Plan to stay in the village and book early: in 2026 admission tickets were issued through lodgings to overnight guests. The 2026 rules on the official page: no beverages, including alcohol, may be brought into the site; drones are forbidden; only villagers take part in the fire lighting ("Hitsuke") and visitors may only watch. Check the 2027 rules on the official page (https://nozawakanko.jp/event/the-nozawa-onsen-dosojin-festival/) once they are published. You will stand outdoors in snow at night, so dress very warmly.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the Nozawa Onsen Fire Festival 2027, and what time does it start?
- It is held every January 15, so the 2027 festival is on Friday, January 15. The 2027 times have not been announced yet (checked 2026-10-13). As a guide, in 2026 the fire source ceremony was at 7:00 pm, the fire source arrived and the head of the Nozawa Group did the first lighting at about 8:30 pm, adults began lighting at 8:50 pm and it ended around 10:00 pm (Nozawa Onsen tourism bureau; tabi-mag).
- Can anyone watch? Do I need a ticket?
- In 2026, admission was restricted to admission ticket holders, and tickets were issued only to residents of Nozawa Onsen Village and guests staying in the village who wished to view the festival — you asked your lodging (official page, checked 2026-10-13). No price is stated. The 2027 rules are not yet announced and may differ.
- How do I get to Nozawa Onsen?
- Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Iiyama Station, then the direct "Nozawa Onsen Liner" bus, about 25 minutes (tourism bureau access page; tabi-mag, checked 2026-10-13). In 2026 every road in Nozawa Onsen was a no-parking zone. For festival-day traffic restrictions, see the official page: https://nozawakanko.jp/event/the-nozawa-onsen-dosojin-festival/
- Is there anything to see before January 15?
- On January 13, two groups of men aged 42 and 25 haul the sacred trees down to the festival site (from around 1:00 pm in 2026). The shrine is then built, and the fire battle takes place on the night of the 15th (tourism bureau; nozawa-onsen.com, checked 2026-10-13).
- What is the festival for?
- It honours Dosojin, a folk deity who wards off harm at village borders and is worshipped for fertility and children's growth, and it is a nationally designated Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Men of the unlucky ages 42 and 25 defend the shrine, celebrating first-born children, warding off evil and praying for happy marriages (tourism bureau; nozawa-onsen.com, checked 2026-10-13).
Getting there
Baba no Hara field, Nozawa Onsen Village — Toyosato, Nozawaonsen Village, Shimotakai District, Nagano