Overview

The Dosojin Fire Festival is an annual event held in the traditional snow village of Nozawa Onsen on Jan 15th every year. The evening begins with several parades and ceremonies as everybody gathers in the village square. The local firemen wander around dishing out free nihonshuu (sake) to anybody who wants it ensuring that the audience and participants are well primed. Eventually all the 42 year olds in the village climb up onto of a huge wooden structure that is contructed days earlier. Then things begin to get a little crazy. The remaining villagers attempt to burn the structure down, along with the 42 year olds while the 25 year olds in the village gather at the base to protect their elders. With all the alcohol and fire flying around its quite amazing that more people are not injured!! The 42 year olds are finally let down off the wooden structure and its then completely burnt in a huge firey spectacle that is not to be missed.