🏮 Akiyoshidai Yamayaki

秋吉台山焼き

Shuho, Yamaguchi (Akiyoshidai) · Every year on 25 February

164 days to go
Rooms around Shuho, Yamaguchi fill up while the festival is on.

Every year in early spring, the Akiyoshidai Yamayaki (Akiyoshidai controlled burn) is held on the Akiyoshidai plateau in Akiyoshi-cho, Mine City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, one of Japan's largest karst plateaus. Organized by the Akiyoshidai Yamayaki Countermeasures Council, fires are set simultaneously across roughly 1,138 ha of grassland to maintain the landscape. The event preserves the nature of Akiyoshidai, known for the beautiful contrast between green grassland and white limestone, and is known as a seasonal sight of early spring. With the ignition at 10:00, flames run across the field with a crackling sound, and the sight of the vast grassland wrapped in smoke is worth seeing. The burnt-black plateau revives as fresh green in early summer, conveying the arrival of a new season. Traffic restrictions are in place on the day, and in case of bad weather the event may be postponed, so the latest information needs to be checked on the Mine City Tourism Association's official website.

Getting there

About 10 minutes by car from the Akiyoshi IC on the Ogori-Hagi Road. About 45 minutes by bus from JR Shin-Yamaguchi Station, then about 30 minutes on foot after getting off at Akiyoshido. Traffic restrictions are in place on the day.