Yoshida Fire Festival吉田の火祭

It is one of Japan's three extraordinary festivals, jointly organised by the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and its associated shrine, Suwa Shrine. The "Yoshida Fire Festival" marks the culmination of the summer mountain pilgrimage to Mount Fuji. Pilgrims complete their journey to the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine before the festival, featuring the traditional fire ritual. The festival is recognised as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the national government on December 25, 2000. Furthermore, on March 8, 2012, it obtained designation as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government.

The festival unfolds over two days, commencing with the “Chinka-sai" (fire-extinguishing ceremony) on August 26th, followed by the “Susuki Matsuri” on the subsequent August 27th. The celebration involves the ignition of approximately 70 to 80 large torches, each standing at about 3 meters tall, along Honmachi Street, covering a stretch of approximately 1 kilometre from the Kanadorii gate in Kamiyoshida to the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine. Additionally, numerous smaller torches, arranged uniquely by each household in a grid pattern, are set ablaze. At dusk, as the main torches are sequentially lit, torches along the Yoshida Trail on Mount Fuji are simultaneously ignited, creating a vibrant atmosphere that lasts until the late hours.