The torches that seem to continue on forever are the highlight of this event: One of Japan's three major strange festivals with a history of more than 400 years
Yoshida Himatsuri or Yoshida Fire (extinguishing) Festival is an autumnal festival for the two shrines of Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and Suwa Shrine, and is held on 26th and 27th of August every year to end the mountaineering season of Mt. Fuji. This is counted as one of Japan's three major strange festivals as well as in ten greatest fire festivals, and represents the festivals in Fujiyoshida.
In the afternoon of August 26th, after a ritual is held at the shrine, two mikoshi (portable shrines) −one is "Omyojin-san (miracle-working deity)" and the other is called "Goei", or "Oyama-san" representing Mt. Fuji−are carried through the parishioners in Kamiyoshida section. In the evening, as the mikoshis enter the place called "Otabisho", 70 something bamboo-shoot-shaped torches woven up to 3 meters, and the flambeaus set in parallel crosses in front of the houses are simultaneously lighted. These torches are lined in about 2 kilometers, so when lighted, the town is filled with an impressive brightness.
In the late afternoon of the next day, the two mikoshis parade through the parishioners before returning to the shrines. The climax of this two-day festival is when the mikoshis go around the place called "Taka-amahara" in Sengen Shrine, followed by the parishioners and worshippers upholding "Susukino tamagushi (branch of sacred tree)".
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| Address | 〒403-0005 山梨県富士吉田市上吉田5558（5558, Kamiyoshida, Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi） |
|---|---|
| Phone | 0555-21-1000 |
| Opening Times | Aug. 26 and 27 |
| Transport | Public transport: Take the bus from Mt. Fuji Sta. on Fujikyuko Line. Get off at Sengen Jinja-mae. It is then approx. one minute on foot. Car: It is approx. five minutes from Kawaguchiko I.C. on the Chuo Expressway. |
| Car Park | Approx. 100 spaces Free |
