Torchlight Traditions: Japan Fire Festival Tour
Every February, the sacred city of Shingu comes alive with the Oto Matsuri (in English, Torch Festival)—an ancient ritual unlike any other in Japan. On this exceptional and rare small-group journey, you will have the extraordinary chance to witness it up close, in the company of the community that keeps it alive.
The Oto Matsuri follows traditions honored for generations. In the hours before nightfall, the men of Shingu prepare: donning white festival garments, tying on woven rope belts, slipping into grass sandals, and purifying themselves with simple "white foods." You will be there as it happens, with your guide explaining what each step means and why it matters.
Once night falls, the men climb the steep stone steps to Kamikura Shrine, torches inscribed with blessings for the year ahead in hand. The descent is dramatic—some racing down the mountain while others walk in unison, forming a river of fire in the darkness.
From the base of the mountain, you will watch the fiery dragon of torchlight wind its way down through the night, alongside the families waiting for their own. Everyone joins in thanking the torch carriers for bringing the sacred fire down to the town.
At the end of the night, the community reunites in celebration, sharing a communal meal. It is a time of reflection, joy, and togetherness after the intensity of the ritual. On this small-group journey, you'll witness one of Japan's most extraordinary rituals as a guest of Shingu—close enough to feel the heat of it, and welcomed by the people for whom it is home.
GROUP SIZE
4-6 guests
DURATION
7 days / 6 nights
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Intermediate Hiking Level Required
CONFIRMED
When 4 Travelers Book
PRICE (USD)
Shared double room: $5,299
Private single room: $6,889
TRIP DATES
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February 1 to February 7, 2027
Days 1–2
Tanabe / Kawayu
Arrive in Tanabe, the gateway to the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. Meet your fellow travelers and trip leader for a welcome dinner before heading into the mountains the next day.
We will hike the beginning of the Nakahechi route, a challenging uphill section of the Kumano Kodo, from Takijiri to Chikatsuyu. If time permits, we will stop to explore a small museum and/or the village of Chikatsuyu. A private chartered bus carries us the rest of the way to a riverside Japanese inn (ryokan), where we can soak our tired legs in the evening in natural hot springs (onsen).
Hike: Takijiri-oji → Chikatsuyu — ~13.3 km (8.3 mi), ~6–8 hrs, sustained forest hiking with notable ascents and descents; a physically demanding section of the Kumano Kodo.
Exclusive Experiences: Welcome dinner in Tanabe, mountain river hot springs
Meals Included: Dinner
Accommodation: Onsen ryokan
Day 3
Hosshimon-oji / Hongu Taisha / Kawayu
Walk a scenic section of the Kumano Kodo with your trip leader, starting at Hosshimon-oji and winding through quiet forests toward Hongu. Visit Kumano Hongu Taisha, one of the three Grand Shrines, and stop at the Heritage Center for stories of the pilgrimage. Return to your inn to relax in the onsen.
Hike: Hosshimon-oji → Hongu — ~7–10 km (4–6 mi), ~3–4 hrs, mostly rolling forest trail with gentle ascents/descents
Exclusive Experiences: Guided Kumano Kodo hike & Hongu visit
Meals Included: Breakfast | Dinner
Accommodation: Onsen ryokan
Day 4
Kawayu / Nachi
Travel to Nachi and explore one of Kumano’s most dramatic sacred sites. With your local guide, hike the cobblestoned Daimonzaka slope to approach Kumano Nachi Taisha, its adjacent Buddhist temple Seiganto-ji, and the iconic view of the vermilion pagoda beside Nachi Waterfall.
Hike: Daimonzaka to shrine complex — ~2–3 km (1.2–1.9 mi), 45–90 min, steady uphill on stone steps; additional walking at shrine and waterfall (~400 stairs)
Exclusive Experiences: Guided Daimonzaka pilgrimage walk & Nachi Taisha visit
Meals Included: Breakfast | Dinner
Accommodation: Seaside onsen ryokan
Day 5
Nachi / Shingu
Head into Shingu for a day of culture and hands-on workshops. Try straw sandal making, Japanese calligraphy, or a tea ceremony, and meet local artisans keeping these traditions alive. Visit Hayatama Taisha, another of the three Grand Shrines. In the evening, practice a sunset climb to Kamikura Shrine, up which men will ascend the next night, fiery torches in hand.
Hike: Kamikura Shrine — ~0.5 km each way, ~15–25 min up, very steep stone stairs, ~120 m / 400 ft gain
Exclusive Experiences: Cultural workshops with local artisans
Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Seaside onsen ryokan
Day 6
Shingu & Oto Matsuri Fire Festival
Spend the morning on a guided e-bike tour through hidden corners of Shingu, followed by a relaxed lunch. In the afternoon, preparations begin for the legendary Oto Matsuri Fire Festival at Kamikura Shrine. Male participants will have one guide per person to walk with them through one of Japan’s most extraordinary rituals. Female participants will stand witness as what looks like a flaming snake descends the torchlit mountainside in the night.
Exclusive Experiences: Insider access to Oto Matsuri Fire Festival
Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Accommodation: Shingu guesthouse or hotel
Day 7
Departure
Enjoy a farewell breakfast with your group before departing Shingu by train. Carry with you memories of sacred trails, hands-on traditions, and the unforgettable blaze of Oto Matsuri.
Choosing your onward path, you have three options:
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Option A: Conclude your tour in Nachi-Katsuura and depart by train.
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Option B: Extend your journey with two nights at a temple-stay in Koyasan
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Option C: Add a private guided hike or cultural experience before same-day departure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
