Kansai · WakayamaFestival
Twelve flaming 50-kilogram torches purify the path to Japan’s tallest waterfall in one of the country’s great fire festivals.
Overview
The Nachi-no-Ogi Matsuri, or Nachi Fire Festival, is a dramatic July ritual at Kumano Nachi Taisha, a grand shrine set beside Japan’s tallest single-drop waterfall. Counted among Japan’s three great fire festivals and part of the UNESCO-listed Kumano pilgrimage tradition, it re-enacts the return of the shrine’s deities to the sacred falls. Giant flaming torches and ancient dance make it both a spectacle and a solemn act of purification.
When & Where
The festival is held annually on July 14, in 2026 falling on a Tuesday, with the main fire ritual in the early afternoon. It takes place on the stone-paved approach between Kumano Nachi Taisha and Nachi Falls, in the mountains of Nachikatsuura, Wakayama. Nearest station: Kii-Katsuura, then bus to Nachi.
Getting There
Reach Kii-Katsuura on the JR Kisei Main Line, then take a local bus up to the Nachi shrine area. From Osaka the rail journey is long, around four hours by limited express, so many visitors stay overnight in Katsuura’s onsen town. The final approach involves stone steps, so allow time and wear proper footwear.
What to Expect
Twelve torches of sacred cypress, each weighing about 50 kilograms, are lit and carried up and down the stone path, their flames purifying the route as portable shrines pass. Priests and participants perform the Nachi Dengaku, a stately dance dating to the early fifteenth century and itself a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Smoke, fire and the roar of the waterfall combine into an unforgettable scene.
Tickets & Access
Viewing is free, but the site is compact and extremely popular, so the best vantage points fill early and crowd control is strict. There is no reserved seating for general visitors. The mountain setting involves steps and uneven stone, which can be challenging in summer heat.
Tips for Visitors
Arrive well before the afternoon ritual to secure a viewing spot, and carry water for the climb. Stay in nearby Kii-Katsuura to avoid a punishing same-day return. Combine the visit with a walk on the Kumano Kodo’s Daimon-zaka slope for the classic approach to the falls.
Access and Map
| Dates | July 14, 2026 (main fire ritual early afternoon) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Kumano Nachi Taisha and Nachi Falls, Nachikatsuura, Wakayama |
| Access | Bus from Kii-Katsuura Station (JR Kisei Main Line); approx. 4 hrs limited express from Osaka |
| Admission | Free |
| Official site | Visit Wakayama (Wakayama Tourism Federation) |
Source: Visit Wakayama (Wakayama Tourism Federation)
Image: Photo: Suikotei / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
