Abare Fire and Violence Festival #21

If you ever dreamed of seeing tradition meet wild, joyful chaos, then Japan’s Abare Festival in Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture, is calling your name. Held every July in the usually quiet coastal town of Ushitsu, the Abare Festival is unlike anything you have ever seen. It is an explosion of fire, sound, sweat, and spirit, wrapped up in two unforgettable nights of pure energy.

The name “Abare” literally means rampage, and that is exactly what happens. Picture this: giant wooden lantern floats called kiriko, towering seven meters high, being paraded down narrow streets by teams of locals while sparks rain down from handheld torches. In the heat of the night, portable shrines called mikoshi are not merely carried like precious treasures. They are violently shaken, smashed against the ground, sometimes even thrown into rivers. The goal is not to keep the shrine pristine but to show as much spirit and strength as possible by practically destroying it. In a way, it is about offering up pure human energy to the gods, proving devotion not with careful preservation, but with passion.

Now you might be thinking, why would I want to watch people wreck beautiful shrines? But that is exactly what makes the Abare Festival so special. This is not a show put on for tourists. This is the town’s soul on full display. Everyone participates. Everyone sweats. Everyone cheers. It is messy, a little dangerous, and completely alive. You do not just watch the Abare Festival. You feel it under your skin.

One of the most intense moments comes when the mikoshi are brought to a huge bonfire. As flames crackle and leap into the sky, bearers charge toward the fire, hurling their shrines into the inferno again and again. The crowd roars in encouragement. Sparks fly everywhere. It is the kind of primal energy that makes you forget what century you are living in. For a few incredible hours, you are transported to a time when festivals were raw, unfiltered expressions of life.

Why should you go? First, because experiences like this are getting rarer. Many festivals in Japan have been polished for modern audiences. They are still beautiful, but they have lost some of their rough magic. The Abare Festival is the opposite. It is the community’s beating heart, and visitors are welcome to join the rhythm. Second, because you will see things you simply cannot see anywhere else. Where else in the world do people lovingly build shrines only to passionately destroy them in the name of tradition and celebration? Third, because you will leave feeling alive in a way few other events can match. You do not need to understand every detail. Just standing among the crowd, feeling the heat of the fire on your face, hearing the pounding of drums and the fierce shouts of the carriers, you will understand everything that matters.

Practical tips for the adventurous: Wear clothes you do not mind getting smoky. Keep your camera ready but stay aware of your surroundings because mikoshi can come barreling through at any moment. Book your accommodation early, because this is a small town and rooms fill up fast. If you can, stay for both nights. The first night is spectacular, but the second night dives even deeper into the heart of the festival’s spirit.

And one last thing. When you are standing there under the dark summer sky, surrounded by firelight, sweat, and celebration, do yourself a favor. Stop taking pictures for a moment. Close your eyes. Let the roar of the crowd, the crackle of the flames, and the heavy scent of smoke and sea soak into your memory. It will be one of those rare moments that stays with you forever.

The Abare Festival is not a spectacle. It is a living tradition. It is not polished. It is pure. And if you are brave enough to dive in, it might just become one of the greatest memories of your life.