Mount Takao Fire Walking Festival

The Mount Takao Fire Walking Festival, or Hiwatari-sai, is a dramatic annual religious ceremony held on the second Sunday of March at the base of Mount Takao, near Tokyo. Organized by the Buddhist temple Yakuo-in, this centuries-old ritual is practiced by Yamabushi (mountain ascetic monks) of the Shugendo tradition, who use the sacred fire ritual (Goma) to purify themselves of evil spirits and worldly desires while praying for world peace, health, and safety. The event begins with a solemn procession, powerful chanting, and ritualistic performances involving weapons and boiling water to consecrate the site.

The festival’s most famous attraction is the intense spectacle of the actual fire walking. Following the lighting of a massive bonfire, the Yamabushi monks walk barefoot across a path of glowing, smoldering embers and ash while chanting prayers. The fire is viewed as a force that purifies all misfortunes and defilements. Following the monks, and once the coals have cooled to a safe temperature, the ceremony is often opened to the general public, allowing visitors to participate in this powerful act of purification and prayer.