About the event
The fire festival is a community religious observance in narrow village streets. Torch-bearing groups and ritual movement provide the spectacle, but space to stop is limited. Travel light, follow stewards and plan an early enough return; the festival continuing past midnight does not mean trains do.
Plan your visit
- Hours & closure days
- 22 October, from 18:00 until after midnight. Individual procession times may vary.
- Admission
- No spectator admission ticket is listed in the official event guidance. Transport and purchases are separate.
- Tickets & booking
- Expect heavy crowds and follow the designated spectator route. Shrine access above the temple gate is restricted before the festival; the shrine office closes around 16:30. Check return trains before travelling.
Location & access
Kurama village festival streets
鞍馬の火祭 鞍馬集落
Kurama, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Choosing your destination
Use Eizan Railway’s Kurama Station. Cars are restricted between Kibuneguchi and Kurama Onsen from 15:00; local parking is closed all day.
Area map. Use the organiser’s programme for the exact venue or entrance.