Japan is well-loved for all of its culture, nature and of course, eccentricities. And if you're up for something that combines all of that, you might want to keep Kyoto's Kurama Fire Festival in mind. Held in the mountainous village of Kurama, this festival traces its roots back to the chaotic Heian period (794-1185) when the emperor ordered the Yuki Shrine to be moved in an attempt to appease the gods. The villagers who helped with the move formed a kilometre-long line, which became the catalyst for the birth of this festival. The main event sees a majestic procession where villagers of different ages don traditional garb and carry flaming torches of various sizes and huge Mikoshi (or portable shrines) up to the shrine to welcome its “kami” (or spirits).