Suma Fire Festival (Saito Goma Fire Ritual) 2026

Dates & time: November 23, 2026 (Mon) 11:00〜
Price & booking: Free to watch. Fire-walk: 2,000 yen (general) / 5,000 yen (special for unlucky years); prayer stick 1,000 yen Apply for the fire-walk and prayers at any temple of the Sumadera school. The general fire-walk is limited to the first 150 applicants.
Venue & access: Sumadera Temple grounds (Sumaderacho, Suma Ward, Kobe) 5 min walk north of Sumadera Station (Sanyo Electric Railway). By car, from Tsukimiyama on the Hanshin Expressway head west on the old Shinmei road (temple parking for about 30 cars)

There are 1 car parks within a 12-minute walk of Sumadera Temple grounds (Sumaderacho, Suma Ward, Kobe), and 4 public restrooms within 8 minutes. The map shows each with its walking time.

Facility data comes from OpenStreetMap. It does not include opening hours, fees or availability.

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Why You Should Visit

Every year on Labor Thanksgiving Day (November 23), Sumadera, the Kobe temple famous for its ties to the Genpei War, holds an outdoor goma fire ritual called Saito Ogomaku Kasho Zanmai. Brushwood and prayer sticks are burned on an altar built in the temple grounds, and then the fire-walk follows, with participants crossing the embers barefoot. Anyone can watch, and members of the public can also join the fire-walk or offer a prayer stick by applying in advance. There is a special fire-walk for people in their unlucky year (yakudoshi). A good fit if you want to see a goma ritual up close or combine it with a half-day visit to the temple.

NOTE

Prayers

Special prayer talisman: 10,000 / 30,000 / 50,000 yen
Prayer stick (soe-gomagi): 1,000 yen

Fire-Walk

Special fire-walk for unlucky years: 5,000 yen
General fire-walk: 2,000 yen (first 150 applicants)
The temple notes that this is an ascetic practice and minor burns can occur. Read the notes on the application form before applying

Child Practitioners

10 child practitioners (chigo gyoja) are recruited (5,000 yen)

Bad Weather

Held in the Goma Hall

*Inquiries: Sumadera 078-731-0416

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FAQ

Can I just go and watch?

Yes. The event is open to all, and watching is free.

How do I take part in the fire-walk?

Apply at any temple of the Sumadera school. The general fire-walk is 2,000 yen for the first 150 applicants, and the special fire-walk for unlucky years is 5,000 yen.

What happens if it rains?

In bad weather, the ritual is held in the Goma Hall on the temple grounds.

Can I go by car?

The temple lot holds about 30 cars, and its hours may change on event days. Sumadera Station is a 5 min walk away, so the train is the safer option.

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Suma Fire Festival (Saito Goma Fire Ritual)

Why You Should Visit

NOTE

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