Iruma City Dezome Shiki, January 2026 – A dezome shiki is a New Year event of the fire brigades in Japan. It involves a blessing / ceremony and different type of entertainment, usually some type of demonstration of the fire brigade’s skills and capabilities. They are family friendly events and unique to Japan. The most famous dezome shiki is in Tokyo on January 6th annually, but we have plenty of dezome shiki in Saitama too.
Iruma City Dezome Shiki
The Iruma City Dezome Shiki is usually on the second Sunday of January. But there are exceptions. For example, in 2024 it was scheduled for the first Sunday in January. However, it was ultimately cancelled, along with about a dozen others, as most of the fire brigades went to Noto peninsula to assist with disaster relief after the large earthquake on New Year’s Day 2024. This year, 2026, it is scheduled for the second Sunday. In other words, Sunday January 11th 2026.
The Iruma City Dezome Shiki is usually on from 10 am to about noon, but in 2026 it will be on from 9 am to 12.30 pm for the 60th anniversary of Iruma City. This year from 9 am there is a reception area where they are giving out fire fighting collector cards. There is a ceremony at 10 am and parade / procession of members of the fire brigade and their vehicles. There are traditional Japanese new year and music performances scheduled too. And this dezome shiki has hashigo-nori – acrobats on bamboo ladders that are exhilarating to watch. The event is on in Sai no Mori Park.
Information
Event: Iruma City Fire Brigade “dezome shiki” festival 入間市消防出初め式
Date: Sunday January 11th 2026
Time: 10 am to about noon in a normal year, but from 9 am to 12.30 pm in 2026
Cost: there is no admission fee
Venue: Sai no Mori Park, address for the park and all other information for the park (map, parking, access etc):