As we enter the height of the autumn weather and colors, why not enjoy it with a picnic—and a towering fire festival?! 🔥

Known as one of Japan’s three major fire festivals, Sukagawa City’s torch festival, or Taimatsu Akashi (松明あかし) has over 400 years of history with towering displays of massive torches that burn against the night sky. Sukagawa’s blazing torch festival is said to date back when Date Masamune, a famous samurai and feudal lord (who also established the Sendai domain), captured Sukagawa Castle. In an attempt to protect it, Sukagawa’s residents surrounded the castle with torches. Today, these torches now weigh over 2,000kg (three tons) and stand at a height of 10 meters (32 feet).

The Sukagawa Fire Festival begins in the evening, and to make the most of a beautiful weekend of fall foliage, we are excited to hold a picnic, followed by some fall workshop activities! 🧺

The activities will include making your own torch (albeit a smaller version), making your own mini tatami mat at a local tatami mat factory or, if you would like, simply touring the factory before we begin heading out to enjoy the evening festival.

For more information about the festival and to sign up for these activities, please click our link here!

Hope to see you there!🏮