【Event Report】Three Days of Fire Enveloping a Former School Kicks Off! The Fire Festival 'Art Fire Festival 2026' Gathers Top Performers from Japan and Abroad. A Special Three Days Blending Workshops and Experimental Performances Begins.

Raikou Enbu Kagutsuchi (Kagutsuchi Co., Ltd.) is pleased to provide a report on the first day of the 'Art Fire Festival 2026', a fire festival held in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, which commenced on Friday, April 24, 2026. This event has transformed a former school into an extraordinary space, and the venue was filled with enthusiasm from the very first day. **A Former School Transforms into an Extraordinary Space. The Venue Was Filled with Enthusiasm from the First Day** On the morning of Friday, April 24, at "Saruko, the School Where You Can Stay," which boasts a vast dirt ground, top performers from Japan and abroad gathered, and the 'Art Fire Festival 2026' began. As many visitors arrived, the contrast between the vibrant fire and the unique location created excitement throughout the entire venue. **Daytime Session: A Place for Learning and Innovation. Workshops and Experiments with Next-Generation Fire Performances** During the daytime sessions, numerous practical workshops are being held by top performers from Japan and abroad. Furthermore, within the venue, tests of new fire equipment for next-generation performances and various experiments with special effects are being conducted in parallel. Through the sharing of technology and new endeavors, a space resembling a giant laboratory is being created. **Tonight, Saturday, April 25: Performance by the Hirokawa Family and a Special Show Featuring All Cast Members** Carrying over the daytime excitement, the festival reaches its climax tonight, Saturday, April 25, with the grand opening of the large-scale fire show stage. This stage will feature the "Hirokawa Family," a family immensely popular for their self-sufficient lifestyle and fire performances. In addition, an "All-Star Special Show" will be presented, where Raikou Enbu Kagutsuchi and all participating performers in this festival will co-star on stage, transcending their respective styles. We will deliver an overwhelming entertainment experience at close range, where the passion of all performers merges with the greatest firepower on earth. **About Same-Day Tickets and On-Site Coverage for Press (Special Photography Pass)** A limited number of same-day tickets are available for tonight's main show, which promises to be a historic night. Additionally, we are accepting same-day issuance of "Special Photography Passes" for press representatives and video creators. **Ticket and Pricing Plan Overview** We offer four plans to suit different participation styles. - ⛺️ Accommodation Plan (Participation Fee + Facility Usage Fee) - 【A】2 Nights, 3 Days Plan: Adults: 25,000 yen / Elementary School Students: 15,500 yen - 【B】1 Night, 2 Days Plan (Extended Time Supported): Adults: 15,000 yen / Elementary School Students: 9,000 yen - 🔥 Day Trip Plan (Participation Fee + Facility Usage Fee) *Overnight stay is not permitted. - 【C】Day Trip Plan - Date & Time: Each day from 15:00 to 21:00 (Show viewing only) - Adults: 5,000 yen / Elementary School Students: 2,500 yen - 【D】One-Day Plan - Date & Time: Saturday, April 25, 09:00 to 21:00 (Workshop participation + Show viewing) - Adults: 10,000 yen / Elementary School Students: 6,000 yen **About "Art Fire Festival 2026"** This festival is a special event where leading top performers from all over Japan gather to widely share their skills and charm. During the event, a total of 10 expert instructors will conduct a wide variety of workshops. From operating props such as "Poi," "Staff," and "Mugen," to "Fire breathing," "Sword fighting using fire swords," and even "Manufacturing safe and high-performance dedicated tools," we offer programs that can be enjoyed by beginners touching props for the first time, as well as experienced individuals aiming for further skill improvement. In the evenings, powerful fire shows by top performers will be held, along with the opening of a fire area where participants can safely enjoy performances, and camping on the vast grounds. We offer an intense entertainment experience in an extraordinary space surrounded by nature and nostalgic wooden school buildings. Kagutsuchi Co., Ltd. aims to contribute to the further potential and dissemination of the charm of fire performance through this event, which unfolds in an extraordinary space embraced by nostalgic wooden school buildings and rich nature. **【Event Outline】** - ■Name: Art Fire Festival 2026 - ■Dates: Friday, April 24, 2026, 15:00 Start 〜 Sunday, April 26, 2026, 12:00 Dismissal - ■Venue: Saruko, the School Where You Can Stay (1744-15 Aimata, Minakami Town, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture) - ■Tickets: 2-night pass / 1-night pass / Same-day ticket - ■Details & Application: https://art-fire-festival-2026.jimdosite.com/ - ■Organizer: Art Fire Festival 2026 Executive Committee **【Sponsors & Collaborators】** Sponsors & Collaborators: Kagutsuchi Co., Ltd.