Takao Hiwatari Matsuri: Fire Walking at Mount Takao

Each March, mountain priests and visitors cross glowing embers on Mount Takao in a centuries-old Buddhist rite just an hour from central Tokyo.

Published October 21, 2026 at 5:54 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: The Takao Hiwatari Matsuri is a fire-walking festival held on the second Sunday of March at Takaosan Yakuoin temple on Mount Takao, in Hachioji, western Tokyo. Yamabushi mountain priests perform a sacred fire ritual and then walk barefoot over the embers, praying for safety and protection from misfortune. After the flames are out, visitors can try walking across too.

A fire-walking festival within easy reach of Tokyo surprises many travelers, yet Mount Takao has hosted one for generations. On a crisp March afternoon, chanting priests, a blazing bonfire and a bed of glowing coals bring an ancient mountain-ascetic tradition to life in the mountain forest. This guide explains what the festival means, how the ceremony unfolds, how to reach the temple, and what to bring so that you can enjoy it comfortably, whether you only watch or take part.

What is the Takao Hiwatari Matsuri?

The Hiwatari Matsuri, whose name means fire-crossing festival, is an annual ritual at Takaosan Yakuoin, a Buddhist temple on Mount Takao. Hiwatari simply means crossing fire, and the festival is also known as Hiwatari-sai. It centers on a sacred fire ceremony and a walk across the embers that follow it.

The belief behind the rite is that fire purifies. Worshippers pray for their own safety and for their families, including protection from accidents on the road, and walking over the embers is said to burn away bad luck and illness. The priests who lead the festival are yamabushi, mountain ascetics who follow Shugendo, a tradition that blends Buddhism, Shinto and mountain worship.

The festival is open to visitors, and after the priests complete their walk, members of the public may also try the fire walk under guidance. Participation can be limited, so it is wise to confirm details with the temple, but even if you only watch, it is a vivid and memorable event.

History and the temple

Takaosan Yakuoin is a major temple of the Shingon Buddhist school, in the Chisan branch. According to tradition, it was founded in 744 by the monk Gyoki on the order of Emperor Shomu as a place of prayer for the eastern provinces. It is regarded as one of the oldest temples in the Tama region of Tokyo, and it has long been associated with Iizuna Gongen, a mountain deity known as a protector.

Mount Takao itself has a very long tradition as a sacred mountain. Visitors to the temple still pray to the tengu, the long-nosed mountain spirits of Japanese folklore, and tengu statues appear all over the temple grounds. The mountain is a center of Shugendo practice, which is why yamabushi lead the festival.

The fire-walking rite connects this spiritual heritage to the present day. Rather than a show, it is a religious ceremony, which is why it follows a set order and begins with prayers.

When and where it is held

The festival is held every year on the second Sunday of March, starting from around one in the afternoon. The ceremony takes place on the grounds of Takaosan Yakuoin, on the mountain, and it continues until all participants have finished walking. Because details can change, confirm the schedule, any participation rules and the fee on the official event page or by contacting the temple before you travel.

The mountain is in Hachioji, in the western part of Tokyo, and it forms part of the Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi-National Park. It rises to about 599 meters, which is gentle enough for easy hiking, and the Keio Line from Shinjuku reaches the foot of the mountain in about an hour.

March is the end of winter, so expect cool weather on the mountain. Arrive with time to spare, because the best places to watch fill up early.

What happens, step by step

The ceremony begins with a series of prayers and rituals. Reports from past visitors describe an opening that includes Japanese archery to drive away evil and a purification using boiling water, followed by chanting and the thanks given to supporters of the temple.

Then comes the heart of the ritual, the goma, a sacred fire ceremony. A large stack of wood and plant material is built and lit, and the flames rise high, with the heat felt from a good distance. The yamabushi recite sutras and mantras as the fire burns. Firefighters stand by as a safety measure, and the priests tend the fire carefully.

Once the fire has burned down to a bed of glowing coals, the coals are spread into a path. The yamabushi walk across it barefoot, one after another, while chanting. After the priests finish, the festival turns to the public, who can follow them across the cooled embers if they wish. Visitors can also throw small wooden sticks, called nadegi, into the sacred fire as part of the ritual.

Highlights and unique features

The first highlight is the bonfire itself. Seeing a towering fire in a mountain forest, set against the sound of chanting, makes a deep impression. Many people say the atmosphere has a calm, solemn beauty even though the fire is dramatic.

The second is the sight of the yamabushi, who wear traditional garments and follow ancient practices. Their ritual movements and the sound of their voices give the festival a living connection to the mountain tradition.

The third is the chance to take part. The Tokyo tourism information describes the coals as only slightly warmer than body temperature once the flames have died, which is why the public walk is open to visitors. Japanese event listings also describe festival-day keepsakes, including a protective talisman and a certificate of having crossed the fire. Check with the temple for what is available that year.

Costumes, music and symbols

The yamabushi wear traditional mountain-practitioner clothing that sets them apart from ordinary worshippers. The chanting of sutras creates a steady rhythm that is a defining element of the ceremony.

Fire is the central symbol, representing purification and the burning away of obstacles. Water is used alongside it, for example in the purification at the start of the ceremony. Tengu, the guardians of the mountain, appear in the temple's imagery as protectors, and you can spot them as statues and on charms.

After the ceremony, many visitors buy amulets at the temple, including protective charms for safety, which is a pleasant way to take a memory home.

How to get there and where to watch

Take the Keio Line from Shinjuku to Takaosanguchi Station, which is the main access point for Mount Takao. From there you can reach the temple by cable car or chairlift, which are run from the foot of the mountain and take you partway up, or you can hike up one of the trails. From the upper cable car station, the temple is roughly a 20-minute walk.

The festival site is in the grounds of the temple, and the best views are available from the front rows around the fire area. Arrive early, since the area fills up before the start. Follow the guidance of temple staff about where to stand and where to line up for the public walk.

If you plan to hike up, allow enough time. Reaching the summit area on foot takes about 90 minutes on average, and the trails are well marked. Check the cable car's operating hours and any queue conditions before you go.

Tips for visitors and etiquette

Dress for cool mountain weather, with layers, comfortable shoes and a hat. If you plan to walk the embers, bring a towel and a spare pair of socks, and wear clothes that are easy to roll up. The Tokyo tourism information suggests a wet towel for wiping your feet afterward.

Follow every instruction from the priests and staff, including where to wait, when to start and how to walk. Do not cross the barrier or approach the fire before you are invited. Keep your voice low during prayers, remember that this is a religious ceremony, and ask before photographing any priest at close range.

Participation can be limited, and registration or fees may apply, so check the official event details. People who have health concerns or are traveling with small children should follow staff advice and decide what feels comfortable, and watching from the side is always welcome.

Combine it with nearby sights

Mount Takao is a destination in itself. The mountain has eight trails, some paved and some unpaved, so you can choose a gentle walk or a longer hike.

Visit Takaosan Yakuoin's main hall and the temple's other halls, and look for the tengu statues along the way. The surrounding forest is beautiful in every season. After the ceremony, many visitors enjoy a meal of soba noodles or sweet treats in the shops near the foot of the mountain.

You can also plan a longer day that links the festival with other spiritual sites in Tokyo, or learn more about Shugendo and the tengu through the related guides linked below.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Takao Hiwatari Matsuri held?

It is held every year on the second Sunday of March, with the ceremony beginning at around one in the afternoon at Takaosan Yakuoin. Schedules, participation rules and fees can change, so check the Tokyo tourism information or the temple before you travel.

Can visitors walk on the fire?

Yes, in general. After the yamabushi have finished their ritual walk and the flames have fully died down, visitors may try walking across the embers under guidance. Participation can be limited and a fee may apply, so confirm the current rules with the temple and follow staff instructions.

How can visitors get to Takaosan Yakuoin for the festival?

Take the Keio Line to Takaosanguchi Station, then use the cable car or chairlift partway up Mount Takao, or hike one of the trails. The temple is roughly a 20-minute walk from the upper cable car station. Leave plenty of time, as the area is busy on festival day.

Further Reading

To explore further, see Mt. Takao Fire-Walking Festival (GO TOKYO) and Mount Takao (Wikipedia).

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Mount Takao: Tokyo's Most Popular Day Hike, Shugendo and Yamabushi: Japan's Mountain Practitioners and Tengu: Japan's Long-Nosed Mountain Spirits.