The Matsuage Festival: Keeping the Fire Tradition Alive

The biggest event in the mountain village of Hirogawara in northern Kyoto is held in late August. Men hurl flaming bundles into the air to light a torch towering 20m high in prayer for good health and harvests. Originating from a fire prevention ritual held when the main local industry was charcoal making, villagers still start preparing months in advance. Discover the efforts being made to maintain this 300-year-old summer festival despite concerns for the future of this depopulating village.