Takao-san Yakuo-in is an old Buddhist temple located at the top of Mt. Takaosan. The temple’s annual fire-walking festival is held annually on the second Sunday of March.
The event is one example of traditional asceticism practiced by a certain type of Buddhist monk called yamabushi. At the festival, worshippers pray for safety for their families and themselves, as well as for protection from traffic accidents. They then follow the yamabushi as they walk barefoot over smoldering coals produced by a sacred fire. The main highlight of the event is seeing the monks walk through the flames as they chant.
