Wakakusa Yamayaki, Tokyo

Wakakusa Yamayaki is an exciting Japanese event where the dry and dead grass on the Wakakusa hill is set on fire. It is one of the most important festivals in the Japanese calender. Every year on 14th January, a huge grass fire is seen on the hills of Wakakusa in Nara. This stunning event is watched and enjoyed by hundreds and thousands of people in Japan.

This is an old ritual that dates back to sometime between 1185 and 1333, that is during the Kamakura period. It has been suggested that this practice of setting the hill on fire was just to clean up the agricultural lands in order to welcome fresh new plants during the spring season..

In the evening, at around 5.30, prayers are offered for those participating in this amazing event. The priests, perform purification rituals before the ceremony begins. The monks dress themselves like warriors to perform the rituals. Only after this, the dry grass is ignited by the monks or priests from the nearby temples, with help of sacred torches that bear the symbols of Kasuga shrine. The Nara fire brigade is present for assistance in case of emergency.

Almost 100, 000 people gather at the foot of the Wakakusa hill, which is 342 meters in height. After the ignition, everyone steps backward to watch the magnificent view of the fire spreading wide across to take a huge shape. Almost the whole of the region is engulfed by the huge flames, which can be seen even from miles away.

During the Wakakusa Yamayaki festival, the sky is lit up with spectacular fireworks all round. The blazing fire along with the illuminated night sky cast a magic spell on the viewer.