第二十三景
Sannomaru Square — Rainbow at the Fire Review
New Year Water Salute / At Himeji Castle Sannomaru Square
The annual Himeji City Fire Department New Year Review held every January. The beautiful synchronized water discharge and the miraculous rainbow is a special view exclusive to this day.
The Story
January 11, 2026, marked the highly anticipated annual Dezomeshiki (New Year's Fire Review) by the Himeji City Fire Brigade. Held at Sannomaru Square, this traditional event gathers city officials and countless citizens to watch the impressive results of the firefighters' training, as well as charming performances by local children.
The weather that day was incredibly fickle and dramatic, alternating unpredictably between sudden snow flurries and clear blue skies. Despite the changing skies, the climax of the event — the synchronized mass water discharge — was a moment of pure beauty. As the water powerfully arced into the air, the sunlight broke through the clouds, catching the spray and creating a miraculous, breathtaking rainbow.
Watching these highly trained firefighters in action under the blue sky was deeply reassuring. Knowing that they stand ready to respond to any emergency fire gives us the profound confidence that this irreplaceable wooden castle, and the city itself, are in the safest of hands.
Photo Tips
- LocationHimeji Castle Sannomaru Square
- Photo TipThe ultimate shutter chance is when sunlight breaks through the clouds and hits the water arcs, creating a rainbow.
- Event GuideThis spectacle is only visible on the event day in early January each year (January 11 in 2026).
