Wakakusa Yamayaki

The schedule of Wakakusa Yamayaki (Yamayaki Festival, Wakakusayama Mountain Burning) is presented here. Wakakusa Yamayaki is held every year on the evening of the fourth Saturday in January. At Wakakusa Yamayaki, hundreds of fireworks are launched first, and then Mt. Wakakusa is lit all at once.

• Wakakusa Yamayaki 2024 Schedule
• Wakakusa Yamayaki map & access
• Wakakusa Yamayaki brief overview
• Wakakusa Yamayaki history

【Wakakusa Yamayaki 2024 Schedule】

Wakakusa Yamayaki will be held on Saturday, January 27th, 2024 at 18:30. Fireworks will be launched from 18:15 just before.

【Wakakusa Yamayaki map & access】

Address: Mt. Wakakusa-yama, Zoshi-cho, Nara
Access: JR Nara Station, Kintetsu Nara Station (Directly in front of “Todaiji Daibutsuden Kasugataisha-mae” on the city loop bus)

【Wakakusa Yamayaki brief overview】

At Wakakusa Yamayaki, hundreds of fireworks are launched first, and then Mt. Wakakusa, which is about 342 meters above sea level and covers an area of about 33 hectares, is lit all at once. Wakakusa Yamayaki is lit by Kasuga-no-Otondo, which is held by Kasuga Taisha Shrine. In addition, Shinto rituals and events are held at Wakakusa Yamayaki.

★From around noon, events such as a deer cracker flying contest and a dedication performance will be held at the foot of Mt. Wakakusa.
★From around noon to evening, Kasuga-no-Otondo is held in Tobinino. Shimenawa decorations, good luck charms, and etc are burned to pray for good health and a bountiful harvest. The fire is used to ignite Wakakusa Yamayaki.
★Around 16:45, the fire used to ignite Wakakusa Yamayakii is taken from Kasuga-no-Otondo.
★Around 17:05, the torch processions of Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, etc. carry the fire from Tobinino to Mizutani Shrine.
★Around 17:25, the torches of the procession will be lit at Mizutani Shrine.
★Around 17:40, light a bonfire at Nogami Shrine and pray for the safety of Mt. Wakakusa. After that, a large bonfire is lit at the foot of Mt. Wakakusa.
★Around 18:15, hundreds of fireworks are launched.
★Around 18:30, Mt. Wakakusa is ignited.
（Event times and content are subject to change or cancellation.）

【Wakakusa Yamayaki history】

Wakakusa Yamayaki (Yamayaki Festival, Wakakusayama Mountain Burning) is said to have been practiced since before the Edo period (1603-1868). However, the origin of Wakakusa Yamayaki is not clear. It is said that the origin of Wakakusa yamayaki is to appease the souls of Uguisuduka Kofun (burial mound), to resolve the territorial dispute between Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, to cause bad events in the following year if the mountain is not burned, and to improve the spring buds. According to Todai-ji Temple, Kofuku-ji Temple, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Wakakusa Sanyaki originated from the festival of the Somabito, a woodcutter who appeased the souls of Uguisuduka Kofun. In the late Edo period, to prevent arson, the Nara Magistrate’s Office, Todai-ji Temple and Kofuku-ji Temple began to burn Mt. Wakakusa in their presence. Today, Wakakusa Yamayaki is held to pray for the repose and remembrance of the souls of our ancestors, for the prevention of disasters, and for world peace. It is said that Wakakusa Yamayaki began to be held at night in the latter half of the Meiji period (1868-1912).
Uguisuduka Kofun (burial mound) is a keyhole-shaped burial mound said to have been built in the middle of Kofun period (early 5th century) on the summit of Mt. Wakakusa-yama. Uguisuduka Kofun is about 103 meters long, with a front part about 50 meters wide and a round rear part about 61 meters in diameter.

【Wakakusa Yamayaki remarks】
Always check with the organizer for event information. Information on this site is for reference only. Contents of the event may have changed.
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