Japan Photo Journal: Mountain burning, fireworks create fantastical image in Nara

(Mainichi/Kazuki Yamazaki)

Fireworks are seen over Mount Wakakusa alongside the ritual burning of the mountain with Kohfukuji Temple’s five-story pagoda silhouetted in the foreground, in the city of Nara in this composite image made from 36 photos taken between 6:18 p.m. and 7:43 p.m. on Jan. 27, 2024. Last year, the grassy terrain remained damp due to snow and rain, which prevented the annually lit fire from spreading. The weather was favorable this year, and about 190,000 people visited the site according to the Nara Prefectural Government. Around 600 fireworks were set off prior to the mountain burning. Some 300 firefighters ignited the mountain surface, spanning approximately 33 hectares, using a sacred flame kept at Kasugataisha Shrine. A 74-year-old resident of the nearby town of Ikaruga who turned up for the event said, “I can see the fire in the distance from my town, but I wanted to see it from up close. I’m looking forward to viewing the photos (I took) after going home.”

(Japanese original by Yuhi Yoshikawa, Nara Bureau)