Mount Wakakusa
Mount Wakakusa (若草山, Wakakusa-yama), also known as Mount Mikasa (三笠山 Mikasa-yama), is a 342-metre-high (1,122 ft) hill located in Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan, to the east of Nara Park. The mountain's name literally translates to "young grass".
| Mount Wakakusa | |
|---|---|
| 若草山 | |
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 342 m (1,122 ft) |
| Coordinates | 34°41′28″N 135°51′16″E |
| Geography | |
  Mount Wakakusa Location on Japan | |
| Location | Nara, Japan |
| Parent range | Kasagi Mountains |
On the fourth Saturday of each January, the dead grass of Mount Wakakusa is burned in an annual festival known as Yamayaki (山焼き literally "mountain burning"). [1] The tradition supposedly originated from a boundary dispute between two temples, Tōdai-ji and Kōfuku-ji in 1760. As the mediations failed, the entire mountain was set ablaze. Other explanations suggest the extermination of wild boars or pests as a result. The festival today begins with a ceremonial igniting by members of both temples, followed by a fireworks display. The festival has been postponed due to poor weather in the past.
Locations to View the Yamayaki Festival
The burning of Mount Wakakusa as part of the annual festival can be seen from the city of Nara and many other locations in the northern part of the Nara basin. It can be viewed at a further distance from the Aeon Mall Yamato-kōriyama multilevel parking lot, and from buildings in the cities of Kashihara and Gose. The blazing hillside is also visible from Mount Kongō, Mount Ikoma, Hōzan-ji and the ryokan inn street directly below it. The most popular viewing locations, however, include Nara Park near the five-storied pagoda of Kōfuku-ji, Oike pond near Yakushi-ji, and Heijō Palace.
Gallery
Overlooking Nara
Night view of Nara
Viewed from Heijō Palace (with Mt Kasuga on the right)
Yakushiji and Mount Wakakusa seen from Oike pond
Burning the dead grass, with accompanying fireworks
Burning the dead grass (animation)
References
- "Yamayaki". Japan National Tourism Organization.