The Yoshida Fire Festival has been going on for more than 400 years at Kitaguchi-Hongu Fuji Sengen and Suwa Shrines. It’s held every year on August 26 and 27, marking the time when the season for climbing Mt. Fuji ends. Along the two-kilometer stretch between the Kanadorii gate and Sengen Shrine, 90 pine logs are laid out in a row. When they’re all lit on fire at the same time, the town becomes filled with flames. But what’s somewhat mysterious is that it has never caused a fire among the buildings. Perhaps that’s because Mt. Fuji protects the town, while watching from its peak that looms up over it.

One day, when we are able to see the festival with our own eyes, we will tell you all about it.