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Kurama Fire Festival 2026: Plan Your Train Home Before the Torches

Huge torches light up the wooden houses of Kurama on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Kyoto’s official listing gives the festival hours as 6pm until after midnight. That is the event’s schedule—not a promise that trains will take you home when it finishes.

Torch bearers carrying a flaming torch at the Kurama Fire Festival

The setting is Yuki Shrine and the village street along Kurama Kaido. This is a mountain-village festival with moving torches and crowds, not a performance to watch from a fixed seat. Arriving with a light bag and a clear return plan matters more than finding the perfect camera position.

Do not drive to the village

Traffic restrictions start at 3pm between Kibuneguchi and Kurama Onsen. More importantly, all parking is closed on the day. Arriving before the road restrictions begin does not solve the parking problem. Kyoto’s official advice is to use public transport.

For the rail approach, use Kurama Station on Eizan Railway. Plan the entire journey back to your accommodation, including the connection after Demachiyanagi. Someone staying near that station has a different last leg from someone returning to Kyoto Station.

The festival-day last train leaves Kurama at 23:24

Eizan Railway’s October 9 notice for October 22, 2026 confirms that the final train from Kurama to Demachiyanagi departs at 23:24. Check the special timetable, not the regular timetable or a previous year’s festival guide.

The railway may restrict boarding because of crowding. You may face a long wait or be unable to board even after waiting. If police instruct the railway to stop transporting festival visitors to Kurama because the venue is too crowded, those journeys will stop. Some trains also take longer than usual.

Choose an earlier departure, allow time to reach the station and queue, and check your onward connection from Demachiyanagi. The festival continues after midnight, beyond the last train.

Aim for an earlier service rather than making the final departure your only option. If onward connections do become a problem, the missed-last-train guide explains the choices to consider before improvising an expensive ride.

Festival torches standing outside a wooden house in Kurama

Watch the torch bearers, not just your screen

The torches are carried through the village. Leave room for their movement and keep an eye on the people around you instead of edging closer for a photograph.

Follow stewards’ directions, keep passageways clear and stay out of private property. If you are asked to move, stop shooting and move. Use flash and bulky camera equipment only in ways that do not obstruct the procession or other spectators.

Carry less, but keep your way home with you

Wear shoes you can walk in and bring a layer for the evening. Avoid loose, trailing clothes near sparks. A small bag that leaves your hands free is easier to manage than a large daypack.

Charge your phone and save your accommodation address and route home for offline use. Agree on a way to contact companions if you become separated.

For children or anyone who struggles with prolonged standing, discuss when you would leave if the crowd becomes uncomfortable. A shorter visit with an unhurried journey back can be a better evening than staying to the end.

Festival information checked: October 7, 2026. Festival-day railway notice checked: October 14, 2026.

Official information
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