Yoshida Fire Festival - A Traditional Autumn Festival with Over 400 Years of History

The Yoshida Fire Festival, held at Kitaguchihogu Fuji Sengen Shrine and Suwa Shrine in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, is a traditional autumn festival with over 400 years of history. It has been cherished by the local community as an "Oyama Jimai" festival that marks the end of the summer climbing season on Mount Fuji. In 2012, it was designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan and is counted as one of the "Three Great Odd Festivals of Japan." The highlight of the festival is the simultaneous lighting of giant torches at night. Over 80 massive torches, approximately 3 meters tall, line the streets, and they are lit all at once when the two mikoshi (portable shrines) arrive at the otabisho (temporary shrine). The sight of the entire street transforming into a "sea of fire" is spectacular. The festival also features a distinctive red lacquered mikoshi shaped like Mount Fuji, which is carried through the town by parishioners. There is a long-standing local tradition of taking home the charred remains of the torches to keep as protective charms against fire and for safe childbirth and good health.