2027.01.23 · Coming soon

After the fireworks, the whole hill burns.

Wakakusa Yamayaki 2027

The Wakakusa Yamayaki heralds early spring in Nara and is held on the fourth Saturday of every January, with Kasuga Taisha, Kofukuji and Todaiji praying together for the souls of the past, for Nara’s safety from fire and for peace in the world. In the usual programme about 600 fireworks go up from 6.15pm; at 6.30pm some 300 Nara firefighters take sacred fire from the Kasuga bonfire to their torches and, on the signal of conch shells and trumpets, light the slope all at once. By day there is a contest to throw giant deer crackers from the hill, with taiko and YOSAKOI at its foot. By that rule the 2027 date is 23 January; the official notice is still to come.