IN PICTURES | Japan worshippers walk on fire to pray for safety
14 March 2021 - 12:48 By Reuters
A woman walks across smouldering hot ground at the fire-walking festival, called hiwatari matsuri in Japanese, at Mt.Takao in Tokyo, Japan, March 14 2021.
Image: REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Japanese worshippers prayed for the safety of themselves and their families on Sunday by walking barefoot with Buddhist monks over smouldering coals at an annual festival near Mt Takaosan.
The fire-walking was more tense than usual because participants were required to wear masks and maintain social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic. The festival was also limited to 1,000 participants. Last year, it wasn't open to the public because of the Covid-19 pandemic.