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About the Fire Festival, Sagicho(左義長)
The Oiso Sagichō Fire Festival is one of Japan’s most captivating and mystical winter traditions.
Held on the shores of Oiso Beach near Tokyo, this centuries-old ritual brings the local community together to welcome the New Year with purifying flames and prayers for health, prosperity, and good fortune.
At sunset, towering bamboo structures are set ablaze, creating a dramatic meeting of fire and ocean.
Locals bring their New Year decorations and calligraphy to be offered to the sacred flames, believing the smoke carries their wishes to the gods.
As families roast small rice dumplings for good luck and health, the beach glows with an ancient, spiritual energy.
Sagichō is more than a festival—it's a living tradition that preserves the timeless spirit of Japan.
What does it mean to
create a festival?
What does it mean to
create a festival?
It means stepping behind the scenes of tradition and becoming part of the community that brings it to life.
In this tour, you don’t just watch the Oiso Sagichō Fire Festival—you help build it.
You will join local residents as they gather bamboo, construct the sacred tower, and prepare the offerings that will be burned in the New Year’s fire. Through these hands-on rituals, you will discover that creating a festival is not simply about making an event; it’s about sharing responsibility, passing down heritage, and feeling the collective spirit that binds a town together.
By crafting the festival side by side with the people of Oiso, you experience Japan’s ancient culture not as a visitor, but as a true participant.
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Access
Access
A small seaside resort about an hour by train from Tokyo.
Oiso station (JR Tokaido Line)
Time required from major sightseeing spots
Shinjuku -----70 minutes (JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line)
Shinagawa ----- 55 minutes (JR Tokaido Line)
Yokohama ----- 40 minutes (JR Tokaido Line)
Kamakura ----- 30 minutes (JR Yokosuka Line → JR Tokaido Line)
Hakone ----- 40 minutes (Hakone Tozan Railway → JR Tokaido Line)
About
About the Tour
A journey of deep cultural immersion beyond mere sightseeing. Experience creating a festival with your own hands at Oiso (大磯), a beach resort near Tokyo.
Japanese festivals are uniquely shaped by their local communities. That’s why we propose a cultural journey where you not only observe traditional culture, but also co-create it together with the locals.
Oiso (大磯) is a seaside resort town that once served as a retreat for many of Japan’s prime ministers. It is also the birthplace of Japan’s first sea bathing culture, and even today it remains a cherished destination for prominent figures and artists. The town is lined with historic architecture and is home to numerous traditional festivals, including Sagicho (the fire festival).
Located just about an hour from Tokyo and close to major destinations such as Hakone and Kamakura, Oiso continues to captivate visitors as a serene, non-touristy coastal retreat.
1. Exploring Authentic Culture
This tour allows you to explore authentic culture that ordinary travel can never reach. At the “Oiso fire festival,” we purify the old year with flames and pray for happiness in the new year. This journey becomes a spiritual one, where you entrust your own wishes and thoughts to the flames. By working shoulder-to-shoulder with local people, you'll gain a deep sense of belonging within Japan's regional communities. What remains at the end of the journey isn't just memories of experiencing Japanese culture, but an unforgettable story of “creating a traditional Japanese festival together with the locals.”
2. Support for a Quality Stay
We guarantee a comfortable stay at the Oiso Prince Hotel while providing exceptional dining and comprehensive support for private small groups through dedicated guides and interpreters. This sense of security and luxury underpins a deep cultural experience, enriching your three-day journey.
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One-Day Tour
1-Day Tour
This day trip is recommended for those who want an easy festival-making experience before or after visiting another destination.
Tour Details
Dates
January 17 (Sat), 2026
Price
$167 (per person)
Payment：credit card
Included in Price
meal(lunch) / transportation during the tour / cultural experience fees / Professional guide fee / Dedicated interpreter fee / Travel insurance
Transportation
Dedicated bus
Tour Schedule
8:30
Meet-up
Oiso Sta.
9:00
"The making of fire festival" | Part 1
Site Creation Experience
On the day of the Sagicho festival, nine sites are erected. Bamboo poles protrude from the front, with brush-tip calligraphy, wheel decorations, and various brightly colored items fluttering in the sea breeze, making sounds. Surrounding them are used daruma dolls and shrine talismans stuck into the ground, creating a truly spectacular sight. On the tour, all participants join local residents in creating the festival's symbolic “sites.” Using straw they've woven themselves, they insert various New Year decorations to complete the site. The sight of these 7-8 meter tall sites standing side by side is truly spectacular.
Lunch
11:30
13:00
Town Sightseeing
"The making of fire festival" | Part 2
Mochi Ball Making Experience
16:30
On the day of the Sagicho festival, when the bonfire is lit at the site, we burn rice dumplings to pray for good health and the absence of illness.
18:30
Participation in the fire festival
Disperse
20:30
Oiso Sta.
3-day Tour
Stay-Type Tour
This 3-day tour is recommended for those who wish to deeply experience creating a festival alongside local residents while staying in the town.
Tour Details
Dates
January 15 (Thu) - January 17 (Sat), 2026
Price
$1,280 (per person)
Payment：credit card
Included in Price
Accommodation / meals / transportation during the tour / cultural experience fees / Professional guide fee / Dedicated interpreter fee / Travel insurance
Accommodation
Twin Room with Ocean View
Meals
All-inclusive
2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Transportation
Dedicated bus
Tour Schedule
DAY 1
Meet-up
13:00
Oiso Sta.
13:30
Introduction
15:00
Hotel check-in
Oiso Prince Hotel
16:00
"The making of fire festival" | Part 1
Visit the festival course with local guides
Once the New Year period (until January 7th) passed, children would go around collecting New Year decorations. On the 8th, a temporary wooden shrine for the deity Seeno-kamisama was erected on the downtown street, where children would gather. The offerings collected became the children's pocket money. Local residents would walk around paying their respects to Seeno-kamisama. Visiting seven specific locations is called the Seven Shrine Pilgrimage. Today, it's often said with a twist: “Visit seven shrines and make it eight (Ya-atoko).”
19:30
Dinner (Exchange through meals with local residents)
DAY 2
Tour of Former Prime Minister Residence
9:30
Former Yoshida Shigeru Villa
10:00
"The making of fire festival" | Part 2
Bamboo Craft Experience
Starting around mid-December, we begin harvesting pine and bamboo for materials used on the site. Since looking down is considered unlucky, we gather only Madake bamboo, not Moso bamboo. During the tour, you'll gain insight into the pine-buying tradition practiced by local residents as part of festival preparations. After the pine-buying experience, you'll participate in a craft activity while learning about the traditional Japanese utilization of bamboo. We craft “utensils” using bamboo for the evening dinner. Prepare to enjoy the evening meal with your own special utensils.
Buffet at Oiso Prince Hotel
12:45
Lunch
15:00
"The making of fire festival" | Part 3
Straw Weaving Experience
Every year, we receive straw from local farmers and use it to create straw weavings for the site. With guidance from community members, we assist in preparing the site. By participating in festival preparations alongside local residents, you can immerse yourself more deeply in the world of Sagicho and experience its charm firsthand.
16:30
Miso Making Experience
Traditionally in Japan, every household made its own miso. In this tour, we offer a hands-on experience where you can create your very own miso to take home as a special souvenir. Miso made by fermenting soybeans that you knead with your own hands has a truly exceptional flavor unlike any other.
This experience will be held at a fermented foods studio located near the festival site.
18:00
Dinner
After the miso-making workshop, you will enjoy a dinner crafted around Japan’s superfood: fermented soy-based dishes. This gentle, traditional meal will help you nourish your body and restore your energy in preparation for tomorrow’s festival day.
DAY 3
9:00
"The making of fire festival" | Part 4
Site Creation Experience
On the day of the Sagicho festival, nine sites are erected. Bamboo poles protrude from the front, with brush-tip calligraphy, wheel decorations, and various brightly colored items fluttering in the sea breeze, making sounds. Surrounding them are used daruma dolls and shrine talismans stuck into the ground, creating a truly spectacular sight. On the tour, all participants join local residents in creating the festival's symbolic “sites.” Using straw they've woven themselves, they insert various New Year decorations to complete the site. The sight of these 7-8 meter tall sites standing side by side is truly spectacular.
11:30
Lunch
Enjoy our Japanese dish “katsu curry,” featuring pork cutlet over the curry rice. The restaurant is located by the ocean front where local people spend their time to relax and chill.
15:00
Town Sightseeing
16:00
"The making of fire festival" | Part 5
Mochi Ball Making Experience
On the day of the Sagicho festival, when the bonfire is lit at the site, we burn mochi ball to pray for good health and the absence of illness.
18:30
Participating in the Oiso fire festival
20:30
Disperse
On the day of the Sagicho festival, when the bonfire is lit at the site, we burn mochi ball to pray for good health and the absence of illness.
FAQ
FAQ
Q. What is not included in the tour price?
The following costs are not included:
・Personal expenses such as dry cleaning fees and additional food and beverage charges
・Additional charges for single room occupancy
・Transportation costs between your home and the meeting/dismissal point, and accommodation fees before or after the trip
・Costs for optional tours (participation is voluntary)
・Medical expenses and insurance premiums related to injury or illness
Q. What is your cancellation policy?
It is as follows:
・Cancellations made on or after the 20th day prior to the trip start date (10th day for day trips)：Up to 20% of the travel cost
・Cancellations made on or after the 7th day prior to the trip start date : Up to 30% of the travel cost
・Cancellation on the day before the trip start date : Up to 40% of the travel cost
・Cancellation on the trip start date : Up to 50% of the travel cost
・Cancellation after the trip start date or failure to participate without notice : Up to 100% of the travel cost
Q. Is there an age limit?
There is no age limit.
Q. Can I join as a solo traveler?
Yes, absolutely. This tour is designed for small groups (maximum 8 people) to share a deep experience, making it perfect for solo travelers.
Q. I have dietary restrictions or allergies.
We will do our best to accommodate your request, so please feel free to contact us via the “Contact” section below.
Q. What should I wear on the day?
This program involves spending a significant amount of time outdoors. Please come dressed warmly.
＊During the fire festival, sparks may fly. We provide rain gear, but please also bring clothes you don't mind getting dirty just in case.
Q. What is the tour support system like?
One tour conductor and one interpreter guide will accompany you throughout the tour. The basic operating hours are from the meeting time to the disbandment time each day. In case of any trouble outside these hours, please contact the tour conductor.
Q. Is it possible to participate for just one night or join partway through?
We will do our best to accommodate your request, so please feel free to contact us via the “Contact” section below.
Reservation
Reservation
Steps before Departure
Travel Reservation Request
Reservation Confirmation Response Within 3 Business Days
We will issue an invoice based on the information provided at the time of reservation. Please complete credit card payment via the QR code on the invoice by the date specified by our company.
Failure to complete credit card payment by the specified date may result in reservation cancellation.
Contract is finalized upon our confirmation of completed credit card payment.
Payment confirmation occurs during the above business hours.
Any subsequent changes in group size or additional arrangements will be settled separately each time.
If cancellation occurs during the cancellation fee period, the amount paid for the trip minus the cancellation fee will be refunded to your credit card.
The travel itinerary (travel guide) will be issued no later than 8 days prior to the travel date, counting from the day before departure.
For applications received after the 8-day prior deadline, the itinerary will be issued after payment is received and no later than the day before departure.
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