We live in the Yagoto prefecture of Nagoya, and we're a half mile away from one of the biggest and oldest Pagodas. It's five stories high and dates back to the early 1800's. This particular festival is one where the Japanese write the names of their ancestors on blocks of wood and cast them into a huge fire at the top of the hill. I think the idea is that the ashes then float into heaven... it was nice to watch them do this, as it obviously was meaningful for them. After the festival was over, the girls got to help blow out the rows and rows of candles.