Held annually on 14 July at Kumano Nachi Taisha on the Kumano Kodō pilgrimage network, this ancient festival re-enacts the legend of the gods descending to Nachi Falls. Twelve large mikoshi representing the shrine's deities are carried down stone steps while twelve enormous flaming torches — each weighing around 50 kg — are thrust toward the portable shrines in a breathtaking purification ritual. The backdrop of Japan's tallest waterfall (133 m) makes this one of the country's most visually spectacular festivals.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Matsuri
- Season
- Summer
- Month
- 14 July
- Region
- Kansai
- Prefecture
- Wakayama
- City
- Nachikatsuura
Highlights
- ◆Twelve enormous blazing torches carried by white-robed priests
- ◆Dramatic ritual set against Nachi Falls (133 m drop)
- ◆Mikoshi procession down ancient stone steps
- ◆Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Kumano Kodō network
- ◆One of Japan's most photogenic summer fire festivals