The five-story pagoda at Mount Hagurosan in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, designated as a national treasure, is lit up on July 16. (Teruto Unuma)

Photo/Illutration The five-story pagoda at Mount Hagurosan in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, designated as a national treasure, is lit up on July 16. (Teruto Unuma)

TSURUOKA, Yamagata Prefecture--The magnificent five-storied pagoda on Mount Hagurosan, designated as a national treasure, is holding an illumination event through mid-October.

Visitors are being urged to come as the opportunity will not come around for a while once work to restore the thatched roofs gets under way next year.

The wooden masterpiece, which is said to have been rebuilt more than 600 years ago, is lit up on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays through Oct. 16 and every day from August 11 to 15.

Work to rethatch the five roofs is scheduled to start in 2023 and finish in 2025.

“With plans to hold the illumination event next year still undecided, we hope people will not miss this opportunity because it will likely be suspended for some time after this year,” said a member of the event’s executive committee.

A nighttime “goshuin” seal stamp will be available on Aug. 11-14, and a special version will be on offer on Aug. 15, Sept. 25 and Oct. 15.

The pagoda is illuminated from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in August and from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in September and October.

Admission is 500 yen ($3.70) for high school students and older visitors.

Food trucks are expected to feature in the illumination event. A projection mapping show and other activities are also planned.

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