Dosojin Festival
Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Festival,an important intangible folk cultural property
One of the three greatest fire festivals in Japan, the Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Festival is nationally designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. Taking place on January 15 every year, the festival is staged by men aged 42 and 25 (so-called “unlucky ages”) to celebrate the birth of a familyʼs first child, to dispel evil spirits, and pray for happy marriage. The highlight is a “fire-setting battle” which ends up with the setting fire to a huge wooden structure with blazing torches by the offensive team and the offering of torches to the deity, making the festival truly spectacular and exciting.
