Onbashira: Mystery behind the Sacred Trees

Overview

The festival of Onbashira, or the "honored pillar", takes place in Suwa, Japan, once every 6 years. Few tree-centered festivals in Japan or anywhere else in the world, rival this one for its breathtaking scale. Why is Suwa the only place where this mysterious festival lives on? In this report we explore the ancient mystery behind the enthusiasm that engulfs this town whenever the sacred year rolls around.