Accommodation facilities in Fujiyoshida City

The most important role in the Yoshida Fire Festival is that of the "caretaker," sometimes called the "festival caretaker (or officer)." The caretaker is a representative of the three towns (towns) that make up the parish area of ​​Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, and is a servant of the shrine. This role is filled by young men from the local households.

The role was traditionally for men in their 20s to 40s, who were expected to serve as caretakers before reaching the unlucky age of 42. This position required the man to be married, and because it was a responsible role involving handling large sums of money and diplomatic skills, it could not be entrusted to an unmarried man.

The caretakers are responsible for supporting the major annual events of Asama Shrine by participating in various ways and providing service. The Fire Festival, in particular, is the most important opportunity for service and a grand stage, and while they receive respect as honorable officials and the faces of the festival, they are not elders in the festival, so they treat the parishioners and the mikoshi bearers (seko) with humility and perform their duties based entirely on a spirit of service.

During the two days of the Fire Festival, they dress in matching costumes, carry lanterns, and lead the portable shrine procession, as well as participating in and managing various Shinto rituals. They also dedicate themselves to various volunteer tasks related to the preparation of the Fire Festival over a long period, and when August arrives and the festival takes place, they take about a month off from their regular jobs to be completely absorbed in the preparations for the festival.

The most important task is to recruit donors for the large torches known as "Yui-Taimatsu" and "O-Taimatsu," which are the highlights of the festival, and to work tirelessly to collect these donations. This task begins as early as spring, six months before the festival.

The work of the caretakers is extremely demanding and carries heavy responsibilities, so in recent years it has been difficult to find volunteers and secure them. However, the sense of accomplishment after fulfilling this heavy responsibility is immense, and even today, it can be seen that they weep openly in front of the Zuishinmon gate after the festival is over and the portable shrine has been put away.

Those who served as caretakers in this way became lifelong friends and maintained extremely close relationships with each other thereafter. It was said that "a man from Kamiyoshida is not a real man until he has served as a caretaker," and it was believed that any man born in this area would serve as a caretaker at least once in his life. Those who had served as caretakers the previous year were commonly called "old caretakers" and were expected to guide and assist the current year's caretakers. Old caretakers were also called "later caretakers," and two years later they became "later later caretakers."

Citations/References

"Yoshida Fire Festival" National Record Selected Intangible Folk Cultural Property Survey Report, 17, Fujiyoshida City Board of Education

Here are some parks in Fujiyoshida City that families can enjoy!

Enjoy a fun, safe, and memorable time in this nature-rich environment.

Fujikyu Railway will be selling the "Mt. Fuji 7th Station Free Pass" to coincide with the opening of Mt. Fuji to the public on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

This special ticket allows you to ride the Fujikyu Railway Line train between Otsuki and Kawaguchiko, and the route bus connecting Fujisan Station and Kawaguchiko Station to the Subaru Line Fujisan 5th Station (Yoshida Entrance), with unlimited rides for two days.

With rising gasoline prices and traffic congestion making travel by private car increasingly time-consuming and expensive, we encourage you to enjoy climbing Mt. Fuji and sightseeing at its 5th station this summer using the "Mt. Fuji 5th Station Free Pass," which allows you to travel smoothly and economically using public transportation.

" Getting Lost in Fujiyoshida!" is now available on the official YouTube channel!

A collaborative project between CATV Fuji Five Lakes and Fujiyoshida Tourism Promotion Service Foundation.

A new program that rediscovers the charm of Fujiyoshida City!

Its name is, "Get Swamped! Fujiyoshida"

This is an original video that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. You're sure to get hooked after watching it!

Please enjoy watching with your whole family.

Fujiyoshida, a town at the foot of Mount Fuji, is home to a wide variety of souvenirs inspired by the mountain! This time, we'll introduce some delicious gourmet foods and sweets shaped like Mount Fuji, which are sure to delight your eyes. Enjoy the unique flavors of Fujiyoshida, perfect for souvenirs or for enjoying while strolling around.

Fujimichi Sanpo is a walking tour of Fujiyoshida City in Yamanashi Prefecture, where local residents and newcomers—all "Mt. Fuji fans"—guide you through the city's history and charm.

Based on the concept of "Exploring a town and its people, nurtured by the history of Mount Fuji worship," this project is run by members who share a desire to "take on activities that benefit the community," "learn more about this town," and "boost tourism."

Fujiyoshida is a town at the foot of Mount Fuji that has welcomed climbers for over 450 years, and it has a rich history and many attractions, including being one of Japan's leading weaving towns.

Why not explore its charms while walking with a local guide? We hope it will add some spice to your trip.

Photo courtesy of thousandth

The Mt. Fuji Hill Climb is a hugely popular cycling event where you can enjoy a thrilling ride while taking in the spectacular views of Mt. Fuji. The course, which takes you up the Subaru Line towards the 5th station of Mt. Fuji, is enjoyable for everyone from beginners to advanced cyclists, and is bustling with participants every year. Don't worry if your schedule doesn't allow it or you missed out on the lottery! Outside of the snowy and icy season and the crowded summer season, you can freely enjoy riding the Mt. Fuji Hill Climb course. We'll tell you how to enjoy Fujiyoshida, a must-see for cycling enthusiasts!

We will be updating the flowering status at each location regularly!