The Hyuga Mitsuyado Taimatsu Matsuri is an ancient fire purification ceremony held at Usa Hachimangu-related shrines in the Hyuga coastal city of Miyazaki Prefecture, typically in mid-November. Hundreds of massive hand-held cedar torches are lit simultaneously along the shoreline and shrine precincts, casting a dramatic orange glow over the Pacific Ocean coastline that Miyazaki's Hyuga area is famous for. The ritual is tied to purification and thanksgiving traditions of the region and is registered as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. The combination of crashing waves, sea cliffs, and walls of fire makes this one of Kyushu's most visually arresting nocturnal festivals.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Matsuri
- Season
- Autumn
- Month
- November
- Region
- Kyushu
- Prefecture
- Miyazaki
- City
- Hyuga
Highlights
- ◆Hundreds of cedar torches lit simultaneously along the Pacific shoreline
- ◆Sacred Shinto purification ritual with deep regional roots
- ◆Dramatic fire reflections on the sea cliffs of the Hyuga coast
- ◆Registered as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property
- ◆Pairs well with daytime visits to Udo Shrine and Takachiho