Hiwarata Festival for Good Luck
Coming to the land of the rising sun, people can participate in different festival activities and one of them is a very unique festival, the Hiwatara festival.
Followers of the Shugendo (or yamabushi) religion participate in the Hiwatara-matsuri festival. They perform the Goma ritual – walking barefoot over small fires and hot ashes with the wish to avoid misfortune and receive good luck, health, and to pray for world peace.
Since ancient times, Mount Takao has been worshiped by Shugendu followers, who use fire as part of their practice. Today, this activity has become a ritual and is popular with everyone.
Shugendo is a unique religion that blends Buddhist beliefs with asceticism, practicing mountain seclusion, and focusing on spiritual training and self-awareness. This unique event not only attracts locals but also attracts a large number of foreign tourists to participate.
Pictured is a yamabushi preparing a fire for the festival. Shugendo devotees carrying lucky charms cross the street of burning and smoking coals. Hiwatari-matsuri is held on the second Sunday of March every year, this year the festival takes place on March 8.
In Japan, in addition to the ceremony, visitors to Hiwatari - matsuri can also admire the performances of the Shugendo monks such as archery, martial arts... After the ceremony ends, visitors can participate by how to take off shoes and walk barefoot through the ash field with the desire to receive a lot of luck.
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