Written by TC Team
You can see — and even participate in — fire walking at the Mt. Takao Hiwatari Festival.
What happens?
The sacred ritual of walking across hot coals and glowing embers is believed to cleanse and purify the spirit. Beyond warming cold feet, it is also said to invite a host of blessings, from world peace and long life to good health, disaster prevention, and even protection from traffic accidents. There are still some risks though: of two friends who tried it a few years back, one got across unscathed while the other got burnt feet!
Schedule
The event takes place on the second Sunday of March each year, with festivities kicking off around 1 p.m.
In 2026, that’s 8 March.
How to get there
The festivities are held a short walk from Takaosanguchi Station on the Keio Takao Line from Shinjuku. Across the road from Takao 599 Museum.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.- 2.5 km from Takaosanguchi Station Keiō Takao Line (KO53)
