The Fire Walking Ceremony (Hiwatarishiki) is held at the Daishoin Temple on Miyajima twice a year, 15 April and 15 November. This is something I recommend experiencing at least once while in Japan.
While it is called a “Fire Walking” ceremony, you don’t really walk on fire. It’s the embers and what’s left of the branches that are set on fire. Depending on where you are in the very long line that usually forms, it might not even be warm anymore when you walk on across.
The ceremony begins at 1100, but I recommend getting there a little early in order to secure a good viewing spot. Once the ceremony is finished, a pile of cypress branches and wooden prayers sticks are lit on fire. 
Once the fire dies down to red embers and ashes, the head Buddhist monk will walk barefoot across the hot path. The mountain monks follow behind him, and then the worshippers.
As the worshippers walk across the ashes, the monks stand on each side to help people get across and to bless them as the walk by. 
Anyone who wants to can walk across the fire, but you must walk barefoot and there is no photography or video recording allowed. If you go with someone who doesn’t want to walk, have them take some pictures for you. Not sure what to do as you walk across the ashes? Worshippers typically pray for good health and good fortune.
If you can’t make it on 15 November, the Daiganji Temple hosts a similar ceremony on 3 November. The Daiganji Temple is also located on Miyajima, near the Itsukushima Shrine.
I recommend visiting Miyajima in November if you can. When I went to this ceremony last year, Miyajima was covered in beautiful shades of reds, oranges, and yellows. The Daishoin Temple is definitely one of my many favorite spots on Miyajima to enjoy the fall foliage.
Walking across fire and enjoying all of the fall colors is bound to make you very hungry. If you’re looking for some ideas, check out my blog post on my 3 Must Eat Foods on Miyajima. My favorite spot to get a fresh Momiji manju is actually near the Daishoin Temple.
Miyajima is very easy to get to by train. From Iwakuni Station to Miyajima the cost is ¥1,000 for round trip tickets that include the ferry. You can also get to the ferry port by car, and there are some parking lots that offer day rates. The lot I use is very close to the ferry port and costs ¥800 for the day. The ferry tickets are ¥360 round trip.
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