Gojo Fire Festival

A fire festival held annually in November in Hachioji, Tokyo. Long revered as a local fire ceremony, it centers on fire-lighting rituals. The unique practice of visitors igniting torches from sacred fire to carry home embodies Japan's spiritual belief in fire's purifying power.

A fire festival held in August at Sengen Shrine in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture. With a history spanning over 1,500 years, it is known as the 'Fire Festival.' Processions feature participants wielding torches made of bundled pine roots, creating an impressive spectacle. The festival embodies unique ritual culture connected to Fuji-ko faith traditions.

One of Japan's three greatest festivals, held at Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine with over 1,100 years of history. Spanning the entire month of July, its highlight is the grand procession of ornate yamaboko floats. Inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, it draws vast numbers of visitors from Japan and abroad each year.

The annual grand festival of Chichibu Shrine held every December in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture. The spectacle of ornate floats and kasaboko being hauled up steep slopes under winter fireworks is breathtaking. Registered as part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage 'Yama, Hoko, Yatai float festivals,' it is counted among Japan's three great float festivals.

A festival of Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto, one of Japan's Three Great Festivals. Held throughout July, the spectacular Yamahoko Junko parade of ornate floats through the city streets is the main highlight. Begun in 869 as prayers to ward off plague, it was inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009, with over 1,150 years of history.

The annual grand festival of Chichibu Shrine held December 2-3 in Chichibu, Saitama. The spectacular sight of ornate floats and kasaboko illuminated against the winter night sky with fireworks ranks it among Japan's Three Great Float Festivals. Inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016, it is known as the pinnacle of winter festivals.