On August 16, as the Obon season — a Buddhist period for honoring ancestral spirits—comes to a close, a special sight appears across Kyoto’s night sky. Gozan no Okuribi is a traditional event in which bonfires are lit one after another on five mountains surrounding the city.
The first to appear is Daimonji, followed at intervals by the other bonfires on the mountains surrounding the city: Myo and Ho, Funagata, Hidari Daimonji, and Toriigata. One by one, their illuminated shapes emerge against Kyoto’s night sky.
The tradition has its roots in the Obon festival and the custom of seeing off the spirits of ancestors who have returned to this world, guiding them once again to the other world. More than a standard summer festival, Gozan no Okuribi is a tradition that has been preserved by generations of Kyoto residents.
Against the darkness of the mountains, the outlines formed by the flames create a quiet yet powerful sight that photographs cannot fully capture. Each bonfire also looks different depending on where you view it from, making the choice of viewing location part of the experience.
For guests staying at THE MACHIYA EBISUYA Hotel, we recommend Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. From the hotel, it is approximately an 8-minute walk to Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line. Take the subway to Marutamachi Station, followed by an approximately 4-minute walk to Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, where you can take your time viewing the Daimonji bonfire.
This display of fire takes place only once a year. Why not experience this summer tradition in Kyoto?