Chichibu Area
The Chichibu area is only two hours from Tokyo and is perfect for a short trip. Visit and experience nature, adventure, and local wine, sake & whisky!
DATE
2024 : 3rd of March
TIME & SCHEDULE
From 10AM. You can watch the main event of ‘fire-walking’ from 12:20
COST
Free
Every year in March, people gather in Nagatoro for this truly rare opportunity to witness 🔥Buddhist firewalking🔥 at the Nagatoro Himatsuri.
The whole festive day starts with the 📢procession of 1000 monks and 🐚performers, which gives you a chance to see their gorgeous garments up close and take pictures!
The highlight of this 1000-year-old ritual is when the monks and devout followers🏃sprint into the 🔥sacred fire to ward off impurities and pray for the community! Along with fire walking, monks perform other rituals like 💦dousing themselves with boiling water– 😮!
The Chichibu area is only two hours from Tokyo and is perfect for a short trip. Visit and experience nature, adventure, and local wine, sake & whisky!
From Tokyo
Address
Procession starts at Nagatoro Station(長瀞駅): Nagatoro, Chichibu District, Saitama 369-1305
Fire Festival is at Nagatorofudo Temple: 1753-1 Nagatoro, Chichibu District, Saitama 369-1305
長瀞不動寺 〒369-1305 埼玉県秩父郡長瀞町大字長瀞1753-1
By Train
Nagatoro Station (Chichibu Railway) via Yorii station (Tobu Line).
Take the Kawagoe Tokyu (Kawagoe Express) on the Tobu-Tojo Line to Ogawa Mhaci station (60min) and change to the regular Tobu-Tojo Line to Yorii Station (15min). From there, take the Chichibu Railway (Chichibu Honsen) to Nagatoro station(15min). Then walk 15 min to Nagatorofudo Temple. *This route is the quickest and cheapest if you are traveling without a JR Pass.
Nagatoro Station (Chichibu Railway) via JR Kumagaya station
Take the Shonan Shinjuku Kine to Kumagaya station (60 min) on the JR Line and change to the Chichibu railway to Nagatoro station (45min). Then walk 15 min to Nagatorofudo Temple. *This route saves a little bit of money if you have the JR pass.
By Car
Driving via Hanazono IC on Kan-etsu Expressway
Approximately 30 minutes from Hanazono IC.
Driving from Kumagaya city
Approximately 45 minutes from Kumagaya.
*There may be heavy traffic within the town and a lack of parking spaces, the Nagatoro Tourism Association recommends using public transportation to the festival.
Japanese Event Website (External Link – Japanese)