Introducing the Yoshida Fire Festival!

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 Yoshida Fire Festival is jointly organized by Kitaguchi-hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine (北口本宮冨士浅間神社) and Suwa Shrine (諏訪神社), and is held at the foot of Mt. Fuji.
Every year, the 26th of August is the Fire Prevention Festival (鎮火祭) , with the 27th being the Susuki Festival (すすき祭り).
The festival is a bustling affair with a large number of visitors.

What Kind of Festival Is the Yoshida Fire Festival?

Source :YouTube screenshot

The Yoshida Fire Festival is jointly organized by Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and Suwa Shrine, and is held in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi (山梨県富士吉田市, yamanashi-ken fujiyoshida-shi), at the foot of Mount Fuji.
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.

The origins of the festival are unclear, but one theory is that the festival originates from the legend of the deity of fire, Konohanasakuya-hime (コノハナサクヤヒメ).
The festival is a long-held tradition, and is one of the representative Intangible Folk Cultural Properties of Japan.

The Yoshida Fire Festival Is a Must-See Festival in Japan!

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.
Following that, from 1:54 in the video, the lit-up torches can be seen.
With all the torches lit, the ordinary streets become a fantastical, otherworldly sea of flames.

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 the Yoshida Fire Festival

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!

【Tripadvisor】The Yoshida Fire Festival
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g681223-d10019706-Reviews-Yoshida_Himatsuri-Fujiyoshida