Nachi Fire Festival

A traditional Japanese custom of viewing cherry blossoms in spring. Records show it was practiced as early as the Nara period. In modern times, people gather in parks and temples for celebrations, enjoying cherry blossoms with family and friends. It represents distinctly Japanese cultural values of appreciating seasonal change and celebrating new beginnings.

An annual grand festival held July 14 at Kumano Nachi Taisha in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama. The solemn sight of twelve great torches parading before Nachi Falls ranks it among Japan's Three Great Fire Festivals. As a core festival of Kumano worship, it is a grand Shinto ceremony embodying the fusion of nature worship and Shinto.

Ancient pilgrimage routes through Wakayama and Mie Prefectures. Three main routes traverse deep forests of the Kii Mountains, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Pilgrims have traveled these paths for over 1000 years, continuing today as spiritual practice routes through nature. Represents living tradition of Buddhist and Shinto faith combined.

A fire festival held in October at Kurama-dera Temple in Kyoto's Sakyo Ward. A sacred ritual where participants carry torches in night processions, with over 1000 years of history. It expresses Kyoto's folk beliefs in fire's purifying power and is valued for maintaining Kamakura-era traditions.

A fire festival held in July at Nachi Taisha in Nachi-Katsuura, Wakayama Prefecture. A ritual involving the carrying and offering of 12 large torches to the shrine. Central to Kumano faith traditions, it maintains fire purification and prayer practices. Known as one of Japan's three major fire festivals.

A fire festival held in October in the Kurama area of Kyoto City. Young people parade with torches, illuminating the night sky with brilliant crimson flames. With over 1000 years of history, it is a signature autumn festival of Kyoto. The tradition of revering fire's purifying power continues to the present day.

A fire festival held in July in Nachi-Katsuura, Wakayama Prefecture. Twelve massive torches accompany an enormous sacred palanquin, their flames illuminating the shrine in an overwhelming spectacle. Conducted at the heart of Kumano faith, it expresses sacredness through fire. Among Japan's fire festivals, it is the largest in scale.