★As of 2024, Nozawa Onsen has set a limit on who can view this festival—only those who are local villagers, or have booked a room to spend the night on the day of the festival, are allowed to join. Because of this, if you want to see this festival, we recommend searching for accommodation in Nozawa Onsen far in advance.
On this page you will find the following information:
Where is Nozawa Onsen?
Nozawa Onsen is a hot spring town in northern Nagano prefecture, located around 50km to the northeast of Nagano City and about 260km from Tokyo. Nozawa’s history as a hot spring town stretches back more than 1000 years but for international visitors, it is best-known for its fantastic ski resort and lively village offering some of Japan’s best apres-ski. Outside of winter, Nozawa Onsen is much quieter but developing as an all-year-round destination with some excellent accommodation, dining, outdoor activities, hot springs and a couple of very good breweries enticing you to visit. For more information about Nozawa, Our ’25 Things To Do Around Nozawa & Where To Stay’ page has some great information about what’s on offer all-year-round including accommodation listings.
What Happens During the Festival
Japan is full of seasonal festivals that vary by town and prefecture, and while many of them are similar in form, some are truly unique. Nozawa Onsen Dosojin stems from a mix of Shinto and folk beliefs and like many ‘matsuri’ (festivals) in Japan, is intended to dispel bad spirits and luck, bring good fortune and fertility to the village and strengthen the community. As you move around the village you will see many ‘dosojin’ (roadside statues of deities who protect travelers) outside homes and businesses. Called ‘Yacchimatahiko’ (the male figure) and ‘Yacchimahime’ (the female figure), this legendary couple were said to both be unattractive but even so, managed to find love with each other have a son. This archaic tale gave rise to the festival, which is intended to promote the vitality of the village and celebrates the birth of first sons to villagers in the past year.
While the festival takes place every year, local men aged 40 to 42 form a group called the ‘sanyakko’ and are responsible for the festival for a period of three years, before responsibility is handed over to the next sanyakko for the following three years. This process has seen the festival sustained for centuries and is considered a coming-of-age rite of passage for the men of Nozawa Onsen. These men prepare a new shrine each year, an impressive timber structure - standing 7 meters in height with saplings reaching even higher above - constructed from local beech trees and using traditional methods. Construction starts on the 14th and is completed on the afternoon of the 15th, with families who have been blessed with their first born son in the past year, erecting 9-metre tall ‘first lanterns’ next to the shrine.
Once preparations are complete, the main event starts around 7PM on the 15th, when local men aged 25 parade through the village with burning torches, enroute to attack the shrine. Around 8:30PM they will arrive at the shrine and attack with true vigour, as men aged 42 stand atop the shrine trying to defend it. Fueled by bravado, the energy of the crowd and a large amount of ‘sake’, the attack and defence is carried-out with true passion – an amazing and raucous sight to behold in the cold winter night. Eventually, the older men will concede and come down from the shrine, which is then set ablaze around 10PM, burning long into the night as locals throw fuel onto the fire, brought from their own homes. You’ll see all manner of things thrown into the fire, as they burn-away any bad luck and wish for a good year to come and continued success of the village.
Tours & Charters to Nozawa Onsen
Nozawa Onsen has much to see in addition to the famous fire festival! It is of course well-known as a destination for skiing and winter sports, and it also not far from some of Nagano's best sight-seeing spots, like the Snow Monkey Park, Zenko-ji Temple, and Togakushi Shrine.
1-Day Ski Tour Package from Nagano Station
- Spots:
- Nagano
- Pick-up:
- Nagano City
- Drop-off:
- Nagano City
If you are interested in visiting Nozawa Onsen for a one-day skiing experience, the above tour is for you! On this group tour, you can pick a ski resort of your choice and will be provided with transport, rental gear, lift passes, and even optional lessons if you choose! Perfect for those looking to ski on a tight schedule, or trying skiing for the first time, don't miss out on this experience if you are in Nagano during the winter season.
Recommended
(Winter Only) 1-Day Tour From Nozawa Onsen: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow MonkeyNozawa Onsen
- Pick-up:
- Nozawa Onsen
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityNozawa Onsen
Or, if you are going to be in Nozawa Onsen already, you may be interested in joining a guided tour to the Snow Monkey Park! Offering pick up from multiple locations in Nozawa, this fun and educational tour brings you to the Jigokudani Monkey Park to get up close and personal with the famous hot spring loving snow monkeys. After that, you will be treated to a tasty Japanese lunch before visiting Nagano City and the historic Zenko-ji temple, one of Japan's oldest and most important Buddhist sites.
If you are looking for private transportation to Nozawa Onsen, we offer charter services that can pick you up from nearby Nagano Station, or as far away as Tokyo and its airports! This is a great option for those who are travelling in large groups, with luggage, or with small children. Please see our list of all charters going to and from Nozawa Onsen to check out all of your options!
We hope to see you here in Nagano this winter season! Please feel free to contact us here if you have any questions.