🎎 Yoshida Fire Festival (Chinbō Matsuri)

The Yoshida Fire Festival, also known as the Chinchin Fire Festival, is held at the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and its affiliated Suwa Shrine. It is a festival held to pray for the quelling of eruptions from Mount Fuji, and it is said to originate from the story of the deity giving birth amidst a raging fire. The Yoshida Fire Festival, where the entire town ignites pine torches, is one of Japan's "Three Great Strange Festivals," along with the "Obi Festival" in Shizuoka's Shimada and the "Hadaka Matsuri" in Aichi's Kōfu Shrine. It is also designated as an intangible folk cultural asset of Yamanashi Prefecture. The festival lasts for two days, beginning with a ceremonial ritual at the Sengen Shrine on the afternoon of August 26. After the ritual concludes, in the evening, the bearers of the portable shrines (shrine attendants) and the local participants sequentially erect the pine torches, which are then lit one after another. As night falls, the entire town is illuminated by the flames of the torches, creating a lively atmosphere that continues into the late hours. On the evening of the second day, August 27, a ceremonial procession of two portable shrines returns to the Sengen Shrine, marking the climax of the festival. In contrast to the roaring flames and festive excitement of the previous night, the solemn rituals conducted in the dark shrine at the end create a striking contrast, allowing participants to experience a unique sense of mystery.

The festival held by the Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine and its affiliated Suwa Shrine is said to be organized to pray for the calming of Mount Fuji's eruptions, and is therefore also known as the "Chinbō Fire Festival." The entire town is lit up with pine torches, and it is listed as one of Japan's "Three Strange Festivals." The festival lasts for two days, with the impressive contrast between the roaring flames of the night before and the solemn conclusion.