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At Fushimi Inari Taisha, tens of thousands of prayer sticks collected from across Japan are burned in sacred bonfires during a traditional purification ritual. The ceremony expresses gratitude for a bountiful harvest and offers prayers for good health, happiness, and the removal of misfortune and obstacles.

As the fires blaze and smoke rises, priests dramatically toss and scatter the prayer sticks into the flames. They also perform purification rituals at each bonfire using sakaki branches, salt, and water. The powerful ceremony continues for more than an hour, as the written prayers and wishes of countless people are entrusted to the sacred flames.

Fushimi Inari Taisha（伏見稲荷大社）

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Address : 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882

Access : 3-minute walk from Inari station on the JR Nara line. 5-minute walk from Fushimi-Inari station on the Keihan main line.

Admission : Free