Held every year in March, the Hiwatari-sai or Fire Walking Festival at Mount Takao sees monks walk barefoot through a smouldering fire while chanting prayers. It makes for a spectacular – and much-photographed – sight, but for the participants, this pious act is a form of invocation wishing for safety as well as protection against illness and tragedy. The fire is a symbol of purification that burns away the misfortune.
As visitors, you can also try walking in the masters' footsteps, but only after most of the fire has been put out. Safety first, after all. Note that the festival takes place at the foot of Mt Takao, in the open area in front of the Kito-den Hall – you'll find the venue along the Koshu Kaido near Takaosanguchi Station.