It Happens Every Year,

on the fourth Saturday of each January, 

 the dead grass of Mount Wakakusa is set ablaze as part of a unique and impressive festival called Wakakusa Yamayaki (‘Wakakusa Burning Mountain’), why? no one actually seems to know, photograph 名古屋太郎/Wikimedia Commons, it is not until 5 pm that a procession departs from the Tobino area of Kasuga Taisha towards Mount Wakakusa, stopping at the Mizuya Shrine along the way in order to light the torches. At around half past five, the procession arrives at the base of the hill and a large bonfire is lit. After a 15-minute fireworks display, torches are lit from the bonfire and the dead grass is set ablaze, 

the spectacle seems to light up the sky and can be seen for miles around, hundreds of spectators gather at the base of Mount Wakakusa, but thousands more watch the blaze from within Nara city, as well as other vantage points in the area, so note in diary for next year, and be quick before the lunatic tree huggers try to ban it!