Fushimi Inari Taisha Hitaki-sai Fire Festival 2026

Why You Should Visit

Held every year on November 8, Hitaki-sai is Fushimi Inari Taisha's autumn festival of thanks to the Inari deity for the grain harvest and for the blessings given to all living things. After a 1:00 p.m. ceremony at the main shrine, well over 100,000 wooden prayer sticks (hitakigushi) sent in by worshippers from across Japan are burned at the ritual fire site, while priests and attendees chant the Oharae purification prayer. At 6:00 p.m. the shrine performs mikagura, sacred music and dance with roots in the imperial court, by the dim light of bonfires, including the stately ninjomai dance. A daytime fire ritual and an evening of court music make it worth planning a full day around.

Essentials

location

Fushimi Inari Taisha

period

November 8, 2026 (Sun)

Time

- 13:00 Main shrine ceremony followed by the ritual fire
- 18:00 Mikagura (sacred court music and dance)

cost

Free to visit

Links

Official Website

Kobe · Gluten-free

Basque cheesecakeBaked with rice flour, no wheat. Whole 12cm, serves 2-3¥4,700 incl. shipping (Japan only)

access

Right outside JR Inari Station on the Nara Line (about 5 minutes from Kyoto Station). By car, about 20 minutes from the Kyoto-minami interchange on the Meishin Expressway; roads around the shrine parking get very crowded.

NOTE

Schedule

13:00 Ceremony at the main shrine

Followed by the fire ritual at the shrine's ritual site: over 100,000 prayer sticks are burned while the Oharae prayer is chanted

18:00 Mikagura

By bonfire light, songs are performed with wagon (Japanese zither), flute and hichiriki, and the ninjomai dance is performed to the song Hayakarakami

About the mikagura

Once customarily offered by the imperial court. It lapsed for a time, was revived in 1863 by special wish of Emperor Komei, and is now performed by the shrine's own staff

FAQ

When is Hitaki-sai held each year?

It is held on November 8 every year, whatever the day of the week.

Should I go for the fire ritual or the evening mikagura?

The prayer sticks are burned right after the 1:00 p.m. main shrine ceremony, and the mikagura starts at 6:00 p.m. Go in the afternoon for the fire, or in the evening for court music by bonfire light.

Can I drive there?

There is parking for worshippers, but the surrounding roads get very busy. JR Inari Station is right in front of the shrine, so the train is the safer choice.

Calendar

Add it to your calendar so you can check back on it later.

Google Calendar Apple Calendar (.ics)

We hope it gives you a reason to head out together.

X FB LINE

Events

Events nearby & around the same time

Other events happening around the same time or in a similar area.

View Recommended Events →

10/3 - 10/11

Gokonomiya Shinkosai Festival 2026

Gokonomiya Shrine (Fushimi-ku, Kyoto)

10/18

Jonan Matsuri 2026

Jonangu Shrine and the surrounding parish area (procession)

10/30 - 11/1

Kyoto Antique Fair

Kyoto Pulse Plaza (Kyoto Prefectural International Exhibition Hall), Main Exhibition Hall

10/1 - 10/5

Zuiki Matsuri at Kitano Tenmangu 2026

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and its Otabisho

10/17 - 11/3

Kyoto Station Building Art Festival GNE 2026

Kyoto Station Building (Station Square, north side of the North-South Free Passage, Muromachi-Koji Square, South Square, East Square) and temples around Kyoto

Events

What to do in Kobe this weekend?

View Recommended Events →

5/2 - 3/20

Kobe Port Weekend Fireworks 2026–27 | Weekend Fireworks off Meriken Park

Meriken Park

9/19 - 12/26

EAT LOCAL KOBE Farmers Market

Higashi Yuenchi Park, Chuo-ku, Kobe

10/3

Bshop Ongakusai 2026

Meriken Park, Kobe

10/3 - 10/4

KOBE AUTUMN FESTIVAL 2026

Sannomiya Central Street to the Waterfront (pedestrian zone)

10/3

KOBE Tourism Day 2026

45 tourist facilities across Kobe

10/3 - 10/11

Kobe Motomachi Music Week (27th)

Kobe Motomachi Shopping Street (1-bangai to 6-chome) and nearby halls

Explore

Explore More of Kobe

View All Features →

Sightseeing

Top Sightseeing Spots in Kobe

Local News

Kobe Local News

Openings & Closings

Kobe Shop Openings & Closings