The Nachi Fire Festival (Nachi no Ogi Matsuri), held every year on July 14th, is one of Japan’s three great fire festivals and the most dramatic event of the Kumano year. Twelve towering fan-shaped mikoshi — representing the twelve deities of Kumano Nachi Taisha and decorated with red silk fans and mirrors — are carried down to the foot of Nachi Falls, where they are met by priests in white swinging twelve enormous burning torches weighing some 50 kilos each. Amid smoke, sparks and chanting on the stone stairway, the fire purifies the mikoshi in a ritual said to return the gods to the waterfall.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Kumano Nachi Taisha, Nachikatsuura |
| Hours | July 14th, main rites early afternoon |
| Admission | Free to view |
| Time needed | Half a day |
| Best time | July 14th |
What to See
- Twelve giant burning torches on the stone stairway.
- Towering fan-shaped mikoshi of the twelve Kumano deities.
- Fire, smoke and chanting before Nachi Falls.
- One of Japan’s three great fire festivals.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Nachi Falls and Taisha themselves.
- Pair with a stay in Katsuura harbour nearby.
- Read our Wakayama overview .
Getting There
- By train + bus: JR to Kii-Katsuura, then a bus to Nachi-san — expect heavy crowds on the day.
- Accommodation: book Katsuura or Nachi lodgings well in advance for July 14th.
Tips
Arrive early and expect crowds — the main rites take place on a narrow stone stairway with limited viewing space, and the July 14th date is fixed regardless of the day of the week. Book accommodation in Katsuura or Nachi months ahead, wear clothes you don’t mind smelling of smoke, and keep a respectful distance from the torch bearers; the ritual is fierce and genuinely hot.
