Kurama Fire Festival

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.

One of Japan's most important fire festivals held at Kumano Nachi Taisha in Nachi-Katsuura, Wakayama Prefecture. Features large cedarwood torches being dedicated and participants running through their flames in unique rituals. With over 1400 years of history, it is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Represents ancient Shinto traditions.

Traditional festival held in September in Kishiwada, Osaka. Features giant floats (danjiri) weighing over 3 tons racing through town. With over 400 years of history, it is nationally famous for its spectacular procession. Tests the courage of young participants.

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 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.