Reiwa 8 Annual Festival: Nachi no Ogi Matsuri (Nachi Fire Festival)

Kumano Nachi Taisha (1 Nachisan, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama), a component of the World Heritage "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range," will hold its annual festival "Nachi no Ogi Matsuri" at Hirou Shrine (Nachi Falls) on Tuesday, July 14, Reiwa 8 (2026).

■ About the Kumano Nachi Taisha annual festival "Nachi no Ogi Matsuri"

Twelve deities are said to have descended on "Nachi Falls" in ancient times, and in 317 (year 5 of Emperor Nintoku) they were enshrined at Kumano Nachi Taisha midway up Mt. Nachi. The foot of the falls became Hirou Shrine, a separate shrine with the falls as its object of worship, and it has drawn deep faith to this day.

The sacred rite in which these twelve deities return once a year to Hirou Shrine at the foot of the falls is the Kumano Nachi Taisha annual festival "Nachi no Ogi Matsuri." Known as one of Japan's three great fire festivals, it captivates many worshippers who visit from Japan and abroad.

■ Event overview

Name: Kumano Nachi Taisha annual festival "Nachi no Ogi Matsuri"
Date and time: Tuesday, July 14, Reiwa 8 (2026), 10:00–15:30
Venue: Kumano Nachi Taisha and Hirou Shrine
　　　(1 Nachisan, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama)
Organizer: Kumano Nachi Taisha

■ Main program and highlights on the day (times are planned and content may change)

[10:00] Rite before the main hall

[11:00] Offering of the "Yamato Mai" dance in the Kumano Nachi Taisha precincts
On the special stage in the Kumano Nachi Taisha precincts, the "Yamato Mai" dance is offered. With its time-honored movements and music, the dance draws visitors into the world of myth in the serene air of Mt. Nachi.

[11:30] Offering of the "Nachi no Dengaku," a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
On the same special stage, the "Nachi no Dengaku," a national Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property and also inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, is offered.
Distinguished by its unique rhythm, gorgeous costumes and powerful dance, the prayer for a rich harvest and peace in the fields has been handed down to the present.

[13:00] Procession of the deities

[13:30] Ogi-tate rite (Fushiogami)

[13:50] Departure of the first, second and third messengers / worship ceremony toward Hikarigamine

[Around 14:00–] Fire rite and Ogi-home rite (highlight)
The "fire rite," held from 14:00, is the climax of the Nachi no Ogi Matsuri.
Each of the twelve deities is transferred into an "ogi mikoshi" modeled on Nachi Falls and slowly descends the stone-stepped approach to the foot of the falls.
On the approach to Hirou Shrine, the flames of twelve great torches weighing over 50 kg each welcome the ogi mikoshi and purify the approach with their fire. The contrast between Nachi Falls throwing up white spray and the blazing flames is truly a "ritual of water and fire." It draws great attention from many tourists and photography enthusiasts in Japan and abroad as a scene rare even in the world.

■ How to join and about worship

・Eligibility: Anyone may worship freely.
・Advance application: Not required
・Worship fee: Free (free worship within the precincts)

* Crowds are expected on the day, so we recommend allowing plenty of time.

■ Access: Kumano Nachi Taisha and Hirou Shrine (Nachi Falls)

Address: 1 Nachisan, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama

Public transport
・Get off at JR Kisei Main Line "Kii-Katsuura Station"
　Take the route bus bound for "Nachisan" from the station and get off at the "Nachisan" stop, then walk about 15–20 minutes
・About 20–30 minutes by taxi from accommodations in Nachikatsuura

By car
・About 90 minutes from the Hanwa Expressway "Susami-Minami IC" via Route 42
・Parking around the precincts is limited

■ Safety, infection control and requests for spectators

・To prevent heatstroke, please drink water frequently and bring a hat and parasol.
・There are many stairs to climb and descend, and some places are slippery. Please wear comfortable shoes.
・At the fire rite, flames and sparks from the great torches rise, so please do not enter the restricted area inside the viewing area's lines.
・In bad weather or natural disasters, the content of the rites may be partly changed or canceled, with safety as the top priority.

■ Timing and the tourist season

July marks the start of the summer holiday season, including Nature Park Day (July 21). In Nachikatsuura, embraced by rich nature, you can enjoy a variety of leisure activities that use nature's bounty, such as Nachi Falls, Kumano Kodo trekking, hot springs and swimming.

Because the Nachi no Ogi Matsuri is held before the summer vacation and Marine Day holidays, it is ideal for a stay-type trip combined with a World Heritage Kumano Kodo walk and Nachikatsuura's hot springs and sea. It is drawing growing attention from travelers in Japan and abroad as a "sustainable destination" where you can touch Japan's original landscape and faith culture while being kind to the environment.

■ About future information

For the latest information, status on the day and access information, please check the Kumano Nachi Taisha official site.
・Kumano Nachi Taisha official site:https://www.kumanonachitaisha.jp/

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Kumano Nachi Taisha
Address: 1 Nachisan, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama
TEL: 0735-55-0321
FAX: 0735-55-0643
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