Video introduction of "Fire Festival in Yoshida" in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture, one of the three most bizarre festivals in Japan

This video, “日本三奇祭 吉田の火祭り（鎮火祭・すすき祭り） The Yoshida Fire Festival,” was created by “FUJISAN DRONE BASE - 富士山ドローンベース.” The video introduces one of Japan’s historic summer festivals.

The video begins with a powerful image of two portable shrines being carried through the streets, followed by an aerial view of a row of large torches lit by fire. Please enjoy this 4 minutes and 40 seconds video, which is packed with highlights.

What are the three most bizarre festivals in Japan? When is the "Fire Festival of Yoshida" held? What is the wish behind it?

Although there are various theories, the three most famous festivals in Japan are generally referred to as "Japan's three most unusual festivals": the Omihashira Festival in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture; the Namahage Shibatoe Festival in Oga City, Akita Prefecture; and the Yoshida no Himatsuri Festival in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture.

The official name of the "Fire Festival of Yoshida" is the "Chinmoku Matsuri," and it is held jointly at the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and the Suwa Shrine. Fuji. The festival is usually held on August 26 and 27, so in 2024, it will be held on August 26 (Monday) and 27 (Tuesday). The festival is intended to pray for the safety of climbers of Mt. Fuji and to quell the eruption of Mt.

What kind of festival is the "Fire Festival of Yoshida"? What is its history?

Source :YouTube screenshot

The festival is known as one of Japan’s Three Strangest Festivals, as well as one of the top ten fire festivals in Japan.
Every year, the festival attracts up to 200,000 visitors.

Yoshida's Fire Festival, a historic festival that has been held for more than 400 years, is designated as a nationally important intangible cultural asset.

Originally, the "Fire Festival in Yoshida" was a festival of Suwa Shrine, not Sengen Shrine, and according to historical records, it originated from a bonfire at the annual festival (July 22) of Suwa Myojin in Kamiyoshida Village.

Later, as Fuji worship flourished, Suwa Shrine was absorbed into Sengen Shrine and became a regent shrine.

There are various legends about the origin of the fire festival. One legend tells of a white snake god descending from above with a portable shrine, and another tells of a myth that Kibana Kaiyahime, the deity of Sengen Shrine, gave birth to three children in a fire-burning maternity house in order to prove her identity.

What are the highlights of the "Fire Festival in Yoshida," such as the lighting of the big torches?

Source :YouTube screenshot

Every year, on the 26th of August, Suwa Shrine carries out a procession with two mikoshi shrines.
More than 100 sponsors and members of Mt. Fuji's religious associations participate in this ritual.
The two mikoshi shrines are paraded through the worshippers who hold branches from the sacred Sakaki Evergreen.
Finally, the procession ends at Asama Shrine.
The festival can be seen from 0:43 in the video.

Of the two mikoshi shrines, one created in the likeness of Mt. Fuji can be seen from 1:00 in the video.
The "torch lighting," in which as many as 100 large torches, each about 3 meters high, are lit, is the highlight of the festival. From 1:54 of the video, you can see the torches being lit. When the torches are lit, a fantastic scene unfolds, as if the entire city has been transformed into a sea of fire.

The Yoshida Fire Festival is accessible by bus or train, and temporary parking lots are also prepared during the festival, making it possible to visit by car.
Traffic can get quite congested on festival days, so be sure to sure to account for drive time when visiting the festival by car.

Summary of "Yoshida's Fire Festival," one of the three most bizarre festivals in Japan

Source :YouTube screenshot

Mt. Fuji is dearly beloved as the number-one mountain in Japan.
This love can also be seen through the large number of visitors to the festival held at the foot of the mountain.

If you still haven't yet, be sure to check out the video and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of this traditional, soul-stirring, and energetic festival of Japan!

【Official Website】Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine

【Tripadvisor】The Yoshida Fire Festival