Japanese festivals are known for good food, fun outfits, music and dancing, but one type is particularly enthralling: fire festivals. The big three are Taimatsu Akashi (Fukushima, November), Oniyo Hi Matsuri (Fukuoka, January) and Nachi no Ogi Matsuri (Wakayama, July), but there are plenty of other standouts. Giant torches are paraded around town in Kurama Hi no Matsuri, near Kyoto (October); a long-nosed deity walks through fire at Tengu No Hiwatari Matsuri in Furubira, Hokkaido (July and September); and townspeople battle with flaming bamboo poles in Rokugo's Takeuchi Matsuri, Akita (February).