Each winter, Hitachi Seaside National Government Park hosts Dondoyaki, a traditional fire festival that offers visitors a rare chance to experience one of Japan's most meaningful New Year customs. Held at Miharashi no Sato Village Farm within the park, the event brings together local volunteers and visitors to recreate a timeless scene that marks the close of the New Year season.
Dondoyaki is a long-standing Japanese tradition typically held around "Little New Year" (小正月, koshōgatsu) in mid-January. Families bring New Year decorations, calligraphy, and protective amulets to be burned in a large communal fire, with the rising smoke symbolizing prayers for good health, safety, and a prosperous year ahead. Before participating, visitors are asked to remove any non-flammable items such as metal fittings or plastic from the decorations.
At Hitachi Seaside Park, the festival is supported by the Miharashi no Sato Partners, a group of park volunteers dedicated to preserving traditional lifestyles and cultural practices. On the day of the event, they assemble the Dondoyaki tower by hand and light the fire using the traditional "maigiri" method, which creates flames through friction rather than modern tools.
The experience is enhanced by the surrounding winter scenery. Near the entrance to Miharashi no Sato, wintersweet flowers bloom during the same period, filling the area with a pleasant fragrance and some extra beauty to the seasonal atmosphere.
