Yoshida Fire Festival

A Night of Flames and Prayer at the Foot of Mt. Fuji

2025/08/25 - 2025/08/26

Every August, the town of Fujiyoshida at the base of Mt. Fuji is enveloped in the heat and glow of the Yoshida Fire Festival. For two nights, over 90 giant torches line the streets, their blazing flames painting the summer night a vivid red. Sparks dance in the air, the scent of pine drifts through the town, and the sounds of taiko drums and festival chants echo all around. Both locals and visitors are drawn into a powerful celebration where ancient prayers and festive spirit become one, creating an overwhelming fire festival for all the senses.

Held annually on August 26th and 27th, this festival marks the end of Mt. Fuji’s climbing season and stands out as one of Japan’s most spectacular fire festivals. If you want to feel the power of tradition and nature, love photography, or simply crave an unforgettable summer night, Yoshida’s Fire Festival promises an experience you’ll never forget.

Main Attractions

Torch-Lighting Ritual

The climax of the festival is the moment when more than 90 giant torches, each about 3 meters tall, are ignited all at once. As dusk falls, the town becomes a river of fire, wrapped in heat and light. The crackling flames, the aroma of smoke, and the warmth of families and friends gathered around the fires create an atmosphere that feels both sacred and nostalgic.

Key Events

On the night of the 26th, the portable shrines (mikoshi) of Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and Suwa Shrine parade through the town, accompanied by the sounds of taiko drums and lively chants. As night deepens, the torches are lit one after another, and the entire town is enveloped in a magical glow. On the 27th, the “Susuki Festival” is held, with the mikoshi returning to their shrines and worshippers carrying sacred grass as they circle the shrine grounds, praying for health and safety.

Costumes and Decorations

Participants wear happi coats, white headbands, and traditional festival attire, their faces illuminated by the firelight. The mikoshi are decorated with sacred ropes and paper streamers, while lanterns and banners line the streets and shops. The flickering flames, shadows, and procession of sacred objects create a mystical scene unique to Yoshida’s summer nights.

Traditional Food & Drink

Festival stalls offer Fujiyoshida’s famous udon, yakitori, grilled corn, and amazake (sweet sake). The aroma of charcoal and torch smoke mingles in the air, while cold drinks and sweet treats help cool festival-goers amid the heat of the fire.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Yoshida Fire Festival has a history of over 400 years, originally beginning as a ritual for Suwa Shrine. It later became intertwined with Fuji Sengen worship, evolving into a festival for warding off evil, purifying the land, and marking the end of the climbing season. Local legends, such as the white serpent and the goddess Konohanasakuya-hime, are still alive in the stories and rituals passed down through generations.

Now designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset and counted among Japan’s three great fire festivals, Yoshida’s Fire Festival symbolizes local pride, gratitude, and prayers to Mt. Fuji.

Participant Voices

"I came from Tokyo with friends. The heat of the torches, the sound of drums, and the energy of everyone gathered was overwhelming. A food stall vendor told us about the white serpent legend, making the festival feel even more mystical."

Fun Facts

More than 90 torches, each over 3 meters tall, are lined up for the festival.
The festival marks the official end of Mt. Fuji’s climbing season.
It is one of Japan’s three great fire festivals and is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset.
There are legends of white and black serpents descending the river, and many families clean the riverbanks before the festival to welcome the deities.