Dezome-shiki: Tokyo Firefighters' New Year Display

Each January, Tokyo's firefighters open the year with a grand parade, water cannons, rescue demonstrations and the breathtaking ladder acrobatics inherited from Edo.

Published October 21, 2026 at 5:44 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Dezome-shiki is the New Year display of Japan's firefighters, and the Tokyo Fire Department's version is usually held on January 6 at Tokyo Big Sight. Thousands of firefighters join a vehicle parade, rescue drills and synchronized water discharge, while members of the Edo firefighting tradition sing work songs and climb tall bamboo ladders. The custom dates back to 1659.

Many visitors to Japan in January are surprised to find that one of Tokyo's liveliest events is led by firefighters. The Dezome-shiki is part ceremony, part safety demonstration and part street theater, and it carries a message of hope for a safe year. This guide explains its history, what you will see, how the ladder performances work, and how to plan a visit.

What is Dezome-shiki?

Dezome-shiki means "first-appearance ceremony" or "first-outing display." It is a New Year event in which fire brigades show their readiness for the coming year, and it is held by fire departments and volunteer fire corps across Japan. The best-known version is the one organized by the Tokyo Fire Department.

The word "dezome" refers to going out for the first time in the new year, much like the first shrine visit or the first sunrise. A "shiki" is a ceremony or formal event. Taken together, the name describes a first public showing, with the aim of praying for a year free from fires and disasters.

In Tokyo, the event brings together career firefighters, volunteer fire corps and members of a group dedicated to preserving the Edo-era firefighting arts. About 2,700 firefighters are reported to take part, which makes the parade one of the biggest gatherings of its kind in the country.

History and origins

The tradition begins in the Edo period. After a great fire in 1657, which is known as the Meireki fire, the shogunate formed a firefighting force called the jobikeshi, staffed by direct retainers of the shogun. In 1659, a senior councillor named Inaba Masanori led four of these brigades in a display at Ueno Toshogu Shrine on January 4. This event is traditionally seen as the start of Dezome-shiki.

The display was also meant to encourage the people of Edo, who were recovering from the fire. In 1718, town fire brigades known as machi-bikeshi were set up, and they copied the custom in their own neighborhoods, singing work songs called kiyari and performing ladder acrobatics.

After the Meiji Restoration, the old brigades were reorganized, and the ceremony was revived in Tokyo in 1875. In 1876 it was held in front of the Emperor Meiji. Over the years, rescue drills were added in 1903, and the first motorized ladder truck took part in 1925. Today the ceremony usually falls on January 6, a date many other regions adopted as well.

When and where it is held

The Tokyo event is typically held on January 6 in the morning, at Tokyo Big Sight in the Ariake district of Koto ward. Earlier in its modern history, it was held in other well-known places in the city, including near the Imperial Palace.

Because dates, venues and program details can change from year to year, check the Tokyo Fire Department's official website before your trip. Many cities and towns around Japan also hold their own versions in early January, often at a local fire station or park.

What happens at the ceremony

A typical program includes several main elements. There are demonstrations of firefighting, rescue and emergency medical care, plus a parade of fire equipment in which engines, ladder trucks and other vehicles move past the crowd in a long, orderly line.

There is also a synchronized water discharge, in which many hoses send arcs of water into the air at the same moment, and a demonstration by the ladder units. The Tokyo Fire Department band and color guard perform as well, and members of the Edo firefighting tradition present the kiyari march and the ladder climbing.

Together, these parts show both the cutting-edge tools of a modern fire service and the skills that were passed down for centuries.

Ladder acrobatics: the star attraction

The ladder climbing, called hashigo-nori, is the most famous part. A tall bamboo ladder is held upright by a team of firefighters, and a performer climbs it and strikes dramatic poses at the top, balancing in positions that look impossible from the ground.

The craft comes from the Edo period. Fires were fought mostly by tearing down nearby buildings to stop the spread, which meant climbing onto roofs. Town firefighters were often skilled workers who built scaffolding, and that experience gave them the strength and balance for such feats. The stunts are traditionally thought to have also reminded people to be careful with fire.

Performers wear traditional Edo-period attire, and some carry a matoi, a firefighters' standard, a tall pole with an emblem at the top that marked a brigade's position. Between performances you will hear kiyari, the rhythmic songs once sung while hauling timber and later adopted by firefighters.

Tips for visitors

Reserved seats have been allocated by advance lottery in recent years, with standing areas used on the day, and entry can be limited if the crowd is large. Check the official instructions well before January.

Early January is cold, and Tokyo Big Sight sits near the bay, where winds can be strong. Dress warmly, bring hand warmers, and plan to spend a while outdoors. Water discharge displays can send spray across the grounds, so protect cameras and keep a respectful distance from lines and vehicles.

Follow staff directions at all times, and remember that this is a working fire department's public event, so the atmosphere is both festive and serious. Remember too that the New Year holidays reduce some shop and train services, so confirm your transport in advance.

How to get there

Tokyo Big Sight can be reached from stations on the Yurikamome and Rinkai lines, both of which have stations named for the exhibition center. The walk from the stations is roughly 3 to 7 minutes. Parking nearby is paid and limited, so public transport is the easiest choice.

Combine it with nearby sights

The Ariake and Odaiba waterfront area offers plenty to do after the ceremony, with shopping centers, parks and views across Tokyo Bay. Indoor exhibits at the venue have sometimes included fire truck riding experiences, virtual-reality disaster prevention vehicles and earthquake simulators.

For more of the Edo firefighting story, Ueno Toshogu Shrine, where the custom began, is a rewarding stop in the old part of the city. You can also pair the day with the New Year traditions of a first shrine visit, which many people make in the first days of January.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Dezome-shiki held in Tokyo?

The Tokyo Fire Department's ceremony is usually held on January 6, in the morning, at Tokyo Big Sight. Dates, times and venues can change, so check the department's official site before you travel. Many other Japanese cities hold their own events in early January.

What are the ladder acrobatics in Dezome-shiki?

They are a traditional skill from Edo-period firefighters, in which a performer climbs a tall bamboo ladder held by a team and strikes balancing poses at the top. The tradition is kept alive by firefighters in Edo-style attire, and it is the highlight many visitors remember.

Can anyone watch the Tokyo Dezome-shiki?

The event is open to the public, but entry arrangements can change. In recent years, reserved seats have been allocated by advance lottery and standing areas used on the day, with possible restrictions if crowds are large. Confirm the current rules on the Tokyo Fire Department website.

Further Reading

To explore further, see Kids Web Japan: Dezome-shiki, Old Tokyo: Dezome-shiki on New Year's Day and Tokyo Fire Department: History of Dezome-shiki (Japanese).

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Hatsumode: The First Shrine Visit of the New Year, Dondo-yaki: Japan's New Year Bonfires and Japan at New Year: What Opens, What Closes and What to Do.