10,000 tourists enjoy fire festival at Kumano-Nachi Shrine

10,000 tourists enjoy fire festival at Kumano-Nachi Shrine

SHINGU, Japan - Local youths walked up and down steep stairs in front of Kumano-Nachi Shrine in the town of Nachi-Katsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, on July 14, carrying giant burning torches. Some 10,000 tourists gathered to view the Nachi-no-Himatsuri (Nachi Fire Festival), during which 60 local youths took turns carrying 12 burning torches. Each torch was 1.4 meter long and weighed 50 kilograms.

Kyoto's autumn fire festival excites revelers

Kyoto's autumn fire festival excites revelers

The annual autumn fire festival in Kurama in the mountains of northern Kyoto excites festivalgoers. In the festival, known as ''Kurama-no-Himatsuri,'' thousands of torches are carried or placed at the side of the road leading up to the Yuki Shrine. Revelers shout in unison, ''Come take part in this Shinto ritual.'' The festival, sponsored by the shrine, dates back to the 10th century.

Festival to remember Goryo Hamaguchi

Festival to remember Goryo Hamaguchi

KAINAN, Japan - Participants in the Inamura-no-himatsuri (festival) light rice straws to commemorate Goryo Hamaguchi who saved villagers' lives by setting fire on rice fields to direct them to high ground when tsunami was going to hit a village located in today's Hirogawa, Wakayama Prefecture in 1854. The photo was taken on Oct. 16, 2005. (Kyodo)

Kyoto's autumn fire festival excites revelers

Kyoto's autumn fire festival excites revelers

The annual autumn fire festival in Kurama in the mountains of northern Kyoto excites festivalgoers. In the festival, known as ''Kurama-no-Himatsuri,'' thousands of torches are carried or placed at the side of the road leading up to the Yuki Shrine. Revelers shout in unison, ''Come take part in this Shinto ritual.'' The festival, sponsored by the shrine, dates back to the 10th century.