Ikoma Grand Shrine Fire Festival.

Known as the Fire Festival, the festival involves traditional shinto music, dancing processions and fire rituals. Home to the guardian deity of land, the shrine holds the festival every October, with its origins said to date back to the time of Emperor Tenmu.

Parishioners of Ikoma valley are divided into 2 groups, standing and kneeling as they go through a variety of rituals. The two teams carrying "Omikoshi" (portable shrines) race to erect a large torch made of Japanese pampas grass. Due to the competitive dynamic of the festival, it is also fondly know as "The Dual Matsuri"

By the time the sun goes down, the festival reaches its climax with the fire ritual. Large torches are gradually set alight by participants running around with smaller lit torches, and when the large torches burn themselves out, the festival draws to a close.

Ikoma Takayama Evening Light Bamboo Tea Party.

The bamboo grove inside Takayama becomes a gallery for light bamboo sculptures. An outdoor concert, called "The Bamboo Light Concert" is also held during the exhibition, which helps to create a wondrous and magical atmosphere.

Traditional tea is prepared in a giant Japanese tea bowl with a diameter of 39cm and a weight of 3kg, a 40cm long tea whisk and a whole host of other oversized tools are also used. Everyone gathers in a circle to hold the Circular Giant Musical Tea Ceremony.

Takayama Hachimangu Festival.

An annually held autumn festival at Takayama Hachimangu

Hozanji Temple Butsumyo Ceremony.

3000 images of the Buddha, a thousand each to represent the past, present and future to praise his name. This Buddhist ceremony concentrates on praying to the Buddha for relief and forgiveness of sins accumulated over the past year.