7月26日京都|山伏のお寺狸谷山不動院　火渡り祭|Tanukidanisan Fudoin Fire-Walking Festival

炎の上を歩く。心の奥まで澄んでいく——京都・狸谷山不動院の火渡り祭

2025年7月26日。京都市左京区、比叡山の麓にひっそりと佇む「狸谷山不動院（たぬきだにさんふどういん）」。その名に“狸”とあるものの、決してユーモラスなだけの寺ではない。ここは、古くから修験道の行者が修行する、本格的な修験の道場。そして毎年7月4週目の土曜に行われる「火渡り祭」は、静かな山寺に熱気と祈りが満ちる特別な一日だ。

山伏たちの法螺貝の低く響くその音が、森にこだまするたびに、日常の時間がふっと遠のいていく。境内では、護摩壇に炎が立ち上り、山伏が炎の前で真言を唱えながら願いを託す。やがて火が鎮まり、赤く残った炭火の上を、山伏たちが裸足で歩く——それが火渡りの儀式だ。

驚くべきは、この火渡り、誰でも体験できるということ。靴を脱ぎ、勇気を出して一歩、また一歩。じんわりとした熱とともに、心のざわめきや迷いも少しずつ浄化されていくような感覚。祈りとは、体を通じて行うものなのだと、あらためて気づかされる。

狸谷山不動院は、地元の人々にとっても特別な場所だ。たとえば京都市内を車で走っていると、まれに目にするのが、狸谷山不動院のステッカー。実はここ、車のご祈祷がとても人気。交通安全を願って、愛車にお守りとして貼る人が後を絶たないという。そこには“動かす”という行為にこそ、祈りが必要だという現代的な信仰が根づいている。

修験道のお寺ならではの厳かさと、地元に根差した温かさ。そして何より、炎の前に立つときの、言葉では言い尽くせない感覚。狸谷山不動院の火渡り祭は、「祈る」という営みの原点を、あらためて見つめ直す貴重な体験だ。

夏の京都に、燃えるような祈りの景色を。ぜひ、一度訪れてみてほしい。

特別プランの事前予約販売があります。

詳細と販売はこちらから。

Walking Across Fire—Cleansing the Soul from Within:
The Hiwatari Fire-Walking Festival at Tanukidani-san Fudoin, Kyoto

Nestled quietly at the foot of Mt. Hiei in Kyoto’s Sakyo Ward stands Tanukidani-san Fudoin, a temple whose name may suggest something playful (“tanuki” means raccoon dog), but whose presence is anything but whimsical. This is a sacred training ground for shugendō practitioners—ascetic mountain monks known as yamabushi. And every July, the temple hosts its most extraordinary event: the Hiwatari Festival, or fire-walking ceremony, a day when the tranquil mountain temple becomes filled with heat, chants, and heartfelt prayers.

The festival begins with the deep, resonant sound of the yamabushi’s conch shell horn (horagai) echoing through the forest. With each blast, everyday concerns seem to fade away. In the temple courtyard, flames rise from the goma altar as the monks chant powerful mantras, offering prayers to the fire. As the blaze dies down and glowing embers remain, the yamabushi begin their ritual barefoot walk across the burning path—the heart of the fire-walking ceremony.

What’s truly remarkable is that anyone can participate. With shoes off and courage summoned, visitors are invited to take a few steady steps across the smoldering path. The warmth underfoot, the smoke in the air, and the beat of the drums combine into a purifying experience—one that seems to clear away doubt and quiet the heart. You come to realize that prayer is not just spoken—it is lived, felt through the body.

For locals, Tanukidani-san Fudoin holds a special place. You might spot cars in Kyoto bearing the temple’s sticker—a sign of one of its most popular rituals: car blessings. Many visit the temple to have their vehicles prayed over for traffic safety. The belief that movement itself invites spiritual attention reflects a modern connection to ancient faith.

Here, solemnity and warmth coexist. The gravity of shugendō and the down-to-earth bonds of the local community converge. And most of all, there is something wordless—something that stirs deep within you as you face the fire.

In the height of summer, Tanukidani-san’s fire-walking festival offers a rare glimpse into the essence of prayer. If you ever find yourself in Kyoto, don’t miss the chance to witness—or experience—this powerful ritual of flame and faith.

Advance reservations are available for the special plan.

Click here for details and booking.