Wakakusa Yamayaki (若草山焼き) is an annual festival held on the fourth Saturday of January in Nara, Japan. The festival involves the burning of Mount Wakakusayama (若草山), a 342-meter-high hill located on the eastern edge of Nara Park.
The origins of the festival are uncertain. However, one popular theory suggests it began in the 18th century due to a dispute between two Buddhist temples, Kohfuku-ji and Todai-ji. The disagreement escalated into a physical altercation, and one temple set fire to the grass on the hill to drive out the other. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing the entire hill, and this event is believed to have laid the foundation for the Wakakusa Yamayaki tradition.
Today, the festival commences with religious ceremonies led by priests from Kasuga Grand Shrine, Kofuku-ji Temple, and Todai-ji Temple, followed by a large fireworks display. Subsequently, a procession of torchbearers carries flaming torches through the streets of Nara to the base of Mount Wakakusayama. These torches are then used to set fire to the grass on the hill in a controlled burn, creating a magnificent blaze that can be seen from miles away.
The festival is attended by thousands of people each year and is considered one of the highlights of the winter season in Nara, alongside Kyoto’s Gozan no Okuribi (Daimonji). It is a unique and exciting event that offers a glimpse into Japanese culture and traditions, as well as a chance to witness a spectacular natural phenomenon.
Details
| Date | Fourth Saturday of January every year. |
| Location | Wakakusayama |
| Official Website | https://www3.pref.nara.jp/yamayaki/ |