A Huge Way to Celebrate the New Year

Held on December 31 to January 1

Every year, Kami Furano welcomes in the new year in a big way. The snowy hillside of Hinode Park becomes alight with flames, taking on the shape of the kanji for “big.” This 70-meter-long and 50-meter-wide character is made from 300 steel rods. During the lighting ceremony, each of the steel rods is lit one at a time with Kami Furano Shrine’s sacred fire. This powerful sight is an event that many take part in to start the new year off right.