Akiyoshidai, one of the largest karst plateaus in Japan, located in Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, held the annual “Yamayaki” to herald the arrival of spring.
At Akiyoshidai, one of the largest karst plateaus in Japan, located in Mine City, in order to maintain the scenery of the 1,138 hectares of grassland, a "Yamayaki" is held every year to encourage new sprouts by burning withered grass. It has become a tradition that heralds the arrival of spring.
At the beginning, about 20 children from a local elementary school performed a song created in the image of a mountain burning on Japanese drums.
Then, when fires were lit all over the grassland all at once, smoke began to rise from the depths of the karst plateau, and after a while the fire spread.
Also, in front of the observatory, locals set fire to the grass with gas burners, and visitors took pictures of the fire spreading in front of them.
About two hours after the start, the karst plateau was transformed into a landscape blackened by the ashes of burned vegetation.
A 7-year-old girl from Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture said, "It was amazing to see the grasslands burning and turning black."