Oni Hashiri: Ogres and Flaming Torches

Last Updated on January 16, 2025

Event Overview

Every year on January 14th, the 500-year-old fire festival “Oni-Hashiri” is held at the Nenbutsu Temple in Nara Prefecture.

In 1995 the festival was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

A number of different events takes place during the day, with monks beginning to chant sutras at 1pm, a daytime demon run at 4pm, rice cake throwing at 4.30pm and closing ceremonies at 7pm (inside the hall) and 7.30pm (inside the temple grounds).

Finally, the day concludes at 9pm with the main event of the evening Oni-Hashiri Procession.

Father, mother and child demons brandishing blazing torches parade around the hall, driving away misfortune from the residents.

Venue Information

Location: Nenbutsu-ji Temple

Dates: 14th January 2026

Opening Times: 1:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Entry Cost

Free.

Nearest Station

Hashimoto Station

Nankai-Koya Line