Photos: Christophe95 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Nekosuki · CC BY-SA 4.0 (2, 3, 4, 5)
Takigi Onō is held at Kōfuku-ji on the third Friday and Saturday of May. All four of the ancient Noh schools (Kanze, Konparu, Hōshō, Kongō) perform by firelight on the site of Kōfuku-ji's Great South Gate, in a form close to the old one.
Why it's unique
Outdoor firelit Noh across Japan descends from this. That "origin of takigi Noh" claim is the temple's own and is widely repeated; the rite itself is not in doubt.
You can see takigi Noh in many places now. Seeing the four ancient schools perform it by fire at the place it started is the thing that only happens here.
Before you go
The first day also has performances at Kasuga Taisha. Bring a cushion: the ground is gravel.
