Kurama-no-Hi Matsuri (Kurama Fire Festival), Kyoto

Kurama, in the hills north of Kyoto, was the site of an ancient pilgrimage to Kurama-dera temple. Every year on October 22 there is a fire festival known as Kurama-no-Hi Matsuri at Yuki-jinja shrine in the village below.

Water is poured on the pine torches at the Kurama-no-hi festival.

Men clad in loincloths carry burning torches up to the local shrine at the Kurama-no-hi festival.

Path leading down from Kuramadera Temple to Yuki-jinja Shrine.

Kurama fire festival.

The Kurama-no-hi Shinto festival in Autumn.

This camphor tree beside Yuki-jinja Shrine on the path to Kuramadera Temple has been designated a kami.