Every year at Mt. Omuro in Ito City, Izu, Japan,the awe-inspiring “Mt. Omuro Mountain Burning” takes place, during which the entire mountain is set ablaze. This is a traditional event that has heralded the arrival of spring in Izu for over 700 years.
Originally, the mountain burning, called “Yamayaki” in Japanese, was conducted to harvest high-quality thatch. Historically in Japan, thatch was an essential material used for roofing and as a packing material called “sumi-dawara” for transporting charcoal. To cultivate this thatch, areas known as “kayaba” were established close to villages, and Mt. Omuro was one such site.
However, if left unattended, weeds and shrubs would overgrow. To promote the growth of only high-quality new thatch, the mountain burning began as a method to clear all the vegetation above ground while preserving the thatch roots.
Today, although thatch is no longer a staple in daily life, the residents of the Mt. Omuro area continue this event as a traditional symbol of spring and a tourist attraction to preserve their history. It is usually held on the second Sunday of February but is often postponed due to snowfall. In such cases, it typically takes place the following week, but further delays can occur if it rains.
If you have the opportunity to witness this event, consider yourself fortunate. After the mountain burning, Mt. Omuro turns black, then transitions to vibrant green in early summer, and to golden hues in autumn—displaying three distinct colors that beautifully mark the changing seasons.
We hope you will visit and experience this unique tradition.
