Check out these articles
-
Video article 4:48
A Powerful Display of Traditional Japanese Archery! During the Warring States Period of Japan, Satsuma Heki-Ryu Koshiya Kumiyumi’s Historical Martial Art Was as Successful as Guns on the Battlefield!
Festivals & EventsHistory- 1.2K plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 1:30
Osechi Cuisine Is an Essential Part of the Japanese New Year's Tradition! If You're Interested in Japanese Food Culture, You've Got to Try This Exquisite Dish at Least Once!
Life & BusinessFood & Drink- 283 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:45
A 1,200-Year-Old Event to Welcome Spring at Todaiji Temple! See Sparks Flying at This Traditional Event at the Most Famous Temple in Nara, Japan!
Festivals & EventsTraditional CultureTravel- 165 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 2:57
Video of "Nara Tokae" in Nara City, Nara Prefecture, with prayers by candlelight, including 2024 dates and venues such as Todaiji Temple.
TravelTraditional CultureFestivals & Events- 143 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 2:58
Huge Lions, Sea Breams, and Armor Parade Through the Streets of Karatsu Kunchi in Saga Prefecture! You've Never Seen a Festival Like This! Learn About Japanese Culture Through Traditional Festivals!
Festivals & Events- 76 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:00
What kind of New Year's event is the “Yasaka Shrine Otsuka Pilgrimage” held on New Year's Eve in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture? Virtual experience of Kyoto's winter traditions with video!
Festivals & EventsTraditional CultureTravel- 374 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:21
The video shows the power of the Shirane Kite Festival held in Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture! The rules and how to enjoy the 300-year-old historical and heroic battle are also explained!
Festivals & EventsTraditional CultureTravel- 109 plays
- YouTube
-
Text only
Tourism Expo Japan 2022 to be held at Tokyo Big Sight in Koto-ku, Tokyo! One of the world's largest travel events, gathering tourist attractions from all over the world before the ban on inbound tourism is lifted in earnest!
NewsFestivals & EventsTravel- 365 views
-
Video article 4:45
What is the best time and place to see the Suigo Shihoroi Iris Festival in Shihoroi City, Ibaraki Prefecture? Brides in white kimono riding on a traditional "Yomeiri Boat" are as beautiful as irises!
Traditional CultureHistoryFestivals & Events- 239 plays
- YouTube
A Traditional Japanese New Year's Event! Burning New Year's Decorations in Tokyo's Oyama Dairi Park to See Off New Year's Gods!
Dondo Yaki at Oyama Dairi Park: Video Introduction
This video, titled "Dondo Yaki Jan. 1, 2016 4K, Oyama Dairi Park" (どんど焼き(4K動画、2016年1月11日、小山内裏公園)), was uploaded by "Hiroharu Ashikaga" (足利宏治). This video introduces Dondo Yaki, a traditional Japanese event that involves lighting bonfires at the end of the New Year holiday in Japan.
Have you ever heard of Dondo Yaki? It's a Japanese fire festival that actually has different names in different regions of Japan. Some of these names include Sankuro, Sagicho, Donto Yaki, and Doso Jin Matsuri.
This video introduces the fire festival being held at Oyama Dairi Park in Machida, Tokyo, in Japan's Kanto region.
During the event, leaves from the kaya tree (Japanese nutmeg-yew) are piled up like a mountain on a scaffold made of wood and bamboo so that the bonfire burns well. Then, Japanese New Year's decorations, such as Shimekazari (a rope decoration to ward off evil and bring luck) and Kadomatsu are placed on top of the bonfire and burned.
The bigger the bonfire becomes, the more spectacular it looks.
It's a sight you don't want to miss!
[Video] 1:38 - Flames Rising Into the Sky
What Is Dondo Yaki? The Meaning of the Name and the History of the Traditional Japanese Festival
The history of this Japanese Fire festival dates back to Japan's Heian Period (794 AD - 1185 AD). Dondo Yaki is an event to see off the god of the New Year as he returns to the sky after visiting people's homes during the New Year's holiday. Dondo Yaki is a fire festival with a long history, in which local people burn lucky charms and decorations, such as shimekazari and kadomatsu, as well as kakizome, to ward off bad luck for the year and to wish for a good harvest, prosperous business, family safety, good health, and the prosperity of one's descendants.
There are various theories as to the origin of the name Dondo Yaki. One suggests that it was named after the crackling noise of bamboo when it burns, which is "Don!" in Japanese. Another suggests that it comes from the word "Don don moeru" (どんどん燃える, lit "to burn gradually"). There is also a custom of skewering mochi (rice cakes), mikan (mandarin oranges), and dango, and roasting them over the bonfire during Dondo Yaki. Doing so is thought to keep one healthy throughout the year and protect them from the cold, and is a custom that has been passed down from generation to generation in almost every region of Japan.
When and Where Is Dondo Yaki Held in Tokyo?
Here's a look at some Dondo Yaki events held in Tokyo. If you're in Tokyo for the New Year's holiday, consider dropping by this historic New Year's event as part of your sightseeing trip.
■Torikoe Shrine – Tondoyaki
Location: 2 Chome-4-1 Torigoe, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0054
Event Dates: January 8, 2022 (Sat) ※The temple office will be open from January 5 (Wed) to morning on January 8 (Sat)
Hours: Starting at 1:00 p.m. (Hours are subject to change depending on the weather)
[Access] A 5-minute walk from Kuramae Station (Subway)
An 8-minute walk from the West Exit of JR Asakusabashi Station
A 10-minute walk from Shin-Okachimachi Station on the Oedo Line
■Hanazono Shrine – Yunohana Shinji (Yuhana Matsuri)
Location: 5 Chome-17-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022
Event Dates: Saturday, January 8, 2022
Hours: Starts at 11:00 a.m.
[Access] Exit E2 of Shinjuku Sanchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Fukutoshin Line, and Toei Shinjuku Line
A 7-minute walk from the East Exit of Shinjuku Station on the JR, Odakyu, and Keio Lines
■Tama River Riverside – Dondo Yaki
Location: North side of the picnic plaza in Futakotamagawa Park
Event Dates: January 16 (Sun.), 2022 (tentative) ※Decorations to be burnt can be brought to the festival from January 9 (Sun.) to January 16 (Sun.), 10:00 a.m.
Hours: Previous years started at 11:00 a.m., but this year is scheduled to start earlier
[Access] A 15-minute walk from Futakotamagawa Station on the Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line and Tokyu Oimachi Line
From Futakotamagawa Station, take the bus bound for Seijo Gakuen-mae (成城学園前), get off at Yoshizawa (吉沢), and walk 5 minutes
■The Komae Shoshun Festival's Dondo Yaki
Location: Tamagawa Ryokuchi Park 4 Chome-1 Inogata, Komae, Tokyo 201-0015
Event Dates: January 9, 2022 (Sun) ※Decorations to be burnt can be brought to the festival on January 8 (Sat) 14:00-16:00, January 9 (Sun) from 8:00-
Hours: [Opening ceremony] Starting at 9:30 - [Ignition] from 10:00 -
[Access] A 5-minute walk from Izumi-Tamagawa Station on the Odakyu Line
Things to Keep In Mind When Participating in Dondo Yaki
Dondo Yaki is considered a children's festival, and the main participants are elementary and junior high school students. In the video, you can see children lighting the fire as well.
[Video] 0:07 - Children Lighting the Fire
Children are considered messengers of the gods and carry out a series of events, such as inviting good luck and exorcising bad luck for the year. In local communities across Japan, children and adults share roles in organizing events, and through New Year's festivities, local people bond together and residents of all ages deepen their mutual understanding of one another and interact with one another. Each community has its own rules, customs, and legends. We recommend checking the details of each event before participating.
Summary of Dondo Yaki, a Traditional New Year's Event in Japan
Dondo Yaki has a long history dating back to the Heian Period (794-1185). What better place to renew your New Year's resolution than in front of a blazing bonfire? In Japan there's also a traditional Japanese candy called Dondon Yaki (どんどん焼き). Both of them have similar names, and both are products of an important Japanese tradition with a long history. Dondo Yaki is held only once a year, at the end of the New Year's holiday. We recommend visiting with your family if you have the chance!
AccessMap (Google Maps)
-
Video article 22:24
What is the Hachioji Festival? A complete schedule of events to be held on August 2, 3, and 4, 2024!
Festivals & Events Traditional Culture Things to Do- 281 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 5:38
Omagari Fireworks" in Daisen City, Akita Prefecture, one of the three major fireworks festivals in Japan! The highlight of the event, the wide starmine, is shown in the video! History and features are also introduced.
Festivals & Events Traditional Culture Entertainment & Music Travel- 204 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 13:20
Get over the hot summer weather by participating in Tokyo's summer festivals and Noryosai! These are the recommended events for summer sightseeing in Tokyo!
Festivals & Events Traditional Culture- 166 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 15:20
The Most Dangerous Festival in Japan? Osaka's Danjiri Festival Is Full of Unexpected Events and Accidents! Toppling Over Sideways, Crashing, Falling Over... It's a Thrilling Event You Won’t Want to Miss!
Festivals & Events- 7.43K plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 4:42
Soma Nomaoi, a festival of mounted samurai in Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture. This documentary follows one woman who is active in the festival! A documentary video with over 1 million views that caught the world's attention!
Festivals & Events- 230 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:30
The Kyoto Yamashina Gishi Festival Feels Like a Trip Back in Time! The Traditional Japanese Atmosphere Created by the Parade Group Dressed as the 47 Ronin, Is an Event in Kyoto's Yamanashi Ward You Don’t Want to Miss!
Festivals & Events- 93 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 6:32
Yabusame (horseback archery) ritual at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, one of the three major Yabusame events in Japan! Ancient Japanese archery and horseback archery
Festivals & Events Traditional Culture- 187 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 1:18
The Nagashi Hina (floating Girls' Festival), a Shinto ritual at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, is also a highlight of the elegant Heian costume! Learn about the history of Nagashi Hina, as well as other Nagashi Hina festivals around Japan!
Festivals & Events Traditional Culture Life & Business- 138 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 3:59
The Yanaizu Naked Man Festival of Fukushima, Japan! Legends of Dragons and Half-Naked Men Praying for Good Health in the Middle of Winter!
Festivals & Events- 758 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 9:34
Kurosaki Gion Yamakasa" in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture is a traditional event with a history of over 400 years! Don't miss this video full of history and highlights!
Festivals & Events- 327 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 18:23
Shinshu Ueda Fireworks Festival" in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture is raining fire sparks! The fireworks up close are a sight to behold! A spectacular display of beauty created by local pyrotechnists!
Festivals & Events Travel- 142 plays
- YouTube
-
Video article 2:51
The Seihakusai Festival of Nanao, Ishikawa! See the Large Floats and the Unique Street Parades in 4K Video!
Festivals & Events Traditional Culture Travel- 123 plays
- YouTube
3 Comments