Visit Nara

Dadaoshi is one of the biggest fire festivals in Nara. It is held annually at Hasedera Temple on February 14 and marks the finale of the Shunie celebrations held to mark the onset of Spring. The excitement takes place following a buddhist service given at the temple when three men dressed as differently colored demon make an appearance. They run around temple buildings stirring up the crowd until driven away by monks and revelers waving large flaming torches. The ritual is carried out to ward off evil.