Wakakusayama Hill — Panoramic Nara Views & Grass Burning

Wakakusayama (若草山, 'Young Grass Mountain') is a 342-meter grassy hill on Nara Park's eastern edge offering panoramic views over Nara City, the park's temples, and the Yamato Plain stretching to Osaka. The hill's three grass-covered plateaus are accessible via a 30-minute hiking trail (entry ¥150 March–December, free January–February). Deer graze freely on the slopes, creating pastoral scenes.

The hill is famous for Yamayaki (山焼き), the annual grass-burning festival on the fourth Saturday of January. At 18:00, after a fireworks display, the entire hillside is set ablaze — a controlled burn covering 33 hectares that turns the night sky orange and can be seen from across Nara City. The tradition dates back centuries, originally performed to drive away wild boars and settle a land dispute between temples. The burning lasts 30 minutes and is one of Nara's most spectacular events. The new grass grows back each spring, maintaining the hill's verdant appearance.