The Oji Fox Parade

New Year’s Eve in Japan is typically a time for quiet reflection and rest after a year of hard work. While most people across the country are eating Toshikoshi Soba (New Year’s noodles) and listening to the temple bells in a calm atmosphere, Oji in Kita City is wrapped in a different kind of heat.

New Year’s Eve in Oji draws a line apart from other regions.
As dusk falls, the town begins to fill with people dressed as “foxes.”

This is not merely a costume party. It is a festive ritual that recreates an old legend: “Foxes from all over the Kanto region would gather in Oji to dress in formal attire before visiting the Oji Inari Shrine.”

Lanterns are lit, and visitors wearing kimonos and fox masks come and go.
As midnight approaches, the whole town quietly comes alive with vibrant energy.

出典:国立国会図書館　名所江戸百景　王子装束ゑの木大晦日の狐火 (名所江戸百景)

As the name suggests, the “Fox Parade” is a ritual where people wearing fox makeup, masks, and traditional Japanese clothing march with lanterns in hand. 

The procession starts at Shozoku Inari Shrine, the site where a large Enoki (hackberry) tree once stood—the very spot where foxes were said to change into their costumes. The destination is Oji Inari Shrine, a prestigious shrine known as the leader of Inari shrines in the Kanto region.

At the stroke of midnight, marking the New Year, the procession leaves Shozoku Inari Shrine and slowly moves toward Oji Inari Shrine, accompanied by the solemn sounds of Ohayashi (traditional festival music).

Led by foxes in formal Kamishimo (samurai ceremonial dress), the line continues with children and adults in various kimonos and fox guises. The sight is a “Parade of One Hundred Foxes” (Hyakko Yako), a playful twist on the legendary “Parade of One Hundred Demons.”

The swaying lights of the lanterns illuminate white-painted faces and fox masks against the dark night, creating a mysterious space where modern city buildings blend with the atmosphere of the Edo period. Everyone, from participants to spectators lining the streets, shares in the joy.

This festival is not just for adults;
there are plenty of events for families to enjoy together.

Since the main parade happens at midnight—a difficult time for children—and the streets become extremely crowded with international visitors,
it can be hard to navigate with small children.

Therefore, if you are with young kids, we highly recommend enjoying the daytime events.

Activities such as a stamp rally (combined with fox makeup experiences), making original fox masks, and crafting lanterns are available during the day.

For families, the “Stamp Rally” is highly recommended.

You collect stamps placed at historical sites in Oji, centering around Shozoku Inari Shrine and the shopping streets near the station.

It takes less than two hours to complete at a leisurely pace. Through this adventure, you can experience the warmth of the locals and discover shops and scenery you might otherwise miss.

Participants who collect all stamps receive sweets, bringing smiles to children’s faces.

An essential item for the Fox Parade is the Chochin (lantern). 

As the word “Kitsunebi” (Foxfire) suggests, foxes and fire have a deep connection. During the day, a workshop for “Handmade Lanterns” is held for children.

These are designed to be easily made using cardboard, requiring no delicate work, making them perfect for elementary school students.

The lanterns include LED lights, so you can carry them safely at night. It takes only 10 to 15 minutes to make.

Carrying a lantern you made yourself creates a sense of unity and becomes a wonderful memory.

For children (or adults!) who find crafting difficult, the “Fox Mask Painting Experience” is perfect. You can draw your own expression on a pure white papier-mâché fox mask.

You can make it look dignified with traditional red Kumadori makeup lines, gorgeous with flower patterns, or unique with your own design.

Creating a one-of-a-kind mask is a unique experience.

We recommend wearing the finished mask slightly tilted on your head—it looks stylish and cool, a very “chic” Edo style.

Food is an essential part of any festival.

While there are fewer food stalls (Yatai) compared to summer festivals, the food here feels special. You can find stalls near Oji Inari Shrine and Shozoku Inari Shrine.

At Oji Inari Shrine, you can find Amazake (sweet fermented rice drink) and Oden (simmered hot pot). Warming your body with hot food on a cold night is a traditional Japanese cultural experience.

At Shozoku Inari, you can buy fox-themed sake and giant fox-tail-shaped Fugashi (dried wheat gluten snacks).

The sake is served warm, so it heats you up from the inside out (be careful not to drink too much!).

The giant Fugashi is a great souvenir that makes for a fun photo and a tasty treat to share.

A unique feature of this event is the “Fox Makeup.” You can experience professional makeup for free, provided by KOSE makeup artists, without a reservation.

Watching them propose designs that match your skin tone and apply white face powder is a display of professional skill.

The design is based on a dignified classic look with red accents to emphasize the nose bridge, finished with whiskers for a touch of cuteness.

It looks amazing in photos and helps you fully immerse yourself in the fantasy.

As midnight strikes, the main event begins.

The tense atmosphere at Shozoku Inari Shrine changes as the New Year opens. To the sound of traditional music and wooden clappers echoing in the night, the procession begins.

The flickering lanterns and the line of foxes move slowly down the street, turning right at the “Hokutopia” building toward Oji Inari Shrine.

The glittering costumes and the collective atmosphere create a unique world. Upon arrival, a formal prayer is held at the main hall, followed by a “Fox Dance” dedicated at the Kagura hall. It is very crowded, so plan ahead on what you want to see.

The origin of this parade is a woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige titled “New Year’s Eve Foxfires at the Nettle Tree (Enoki) at Oji” from his series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.

It depicted countless foxes gathering under a tree, breathing out foxfire. Farmers used to predict the next year’s harvest based on these fires.

Although the tree was cut down and the legend faded during modernization, local volunteers revived the tradition in 1993 to energize the town. It has grown from a small event into a major attraction for international tourists, cherished as a tradition built by the community.

The fantasy of Edo depicted by Hiroshige has been vividly brought back to life by the people of Oji.