五山送り火 Gozan no Okuribi
On the night of August 16 bonfires burn on five hills around Kyoto in shapes such as the character 大, sending the spirits of ancestors back after the Obon season.
- Where
- 如意ヶ嶽（大文字）ほか五つの山
- How to enjoy it
- The fires are only on for about 30 minutes. Good viewing spots are along the Kamo River and on rooftops; some hotels sell viewing spots. Book well ahead.
Background
Gozan no Okuribi is the bonfire rite held on the night of August 16, closing the Obon season by sending the ancestral spirits (oshorei-san) welcomed during Obon back to the Pure Land. Fires forming characters and symbols are lit on five mountains around the city: Daimonji, Myo-Ho, Funagata, Hidari-Daimonji and Torii-gata. Accounts of its origins vary (from the early Heian to the early Edo period) with no contemporary records; the present five-mountain form likely took shape by the mid-Edo period. On June 1, 1983, all five fires were registered as Kyoto City Intangible Folk Cultural Properties, and local preservation societies carry on the lighting to this day.
What to see
- Daimonji on Mt. Nyoigatake (Sakyo Ward) lights at 8:00 p.m., opening the sequence.
- The five fires light at five-minute intervals (Myo-Ho 8:05, Funagata 8:10, Hidari-Daimonji 8:15, Torii-gata 8:20), each burning about 30 minutes.
- Each fire is lit by its local preservation society, with duties often passed down through generations of local residents.
- Gomagi: prayer sticks on which visitors write wishes can be offered; they are used as fuel for the fires.
- From 7:50 to 8:50 p.m., neon, outdoor and advertising lights around the city are dimmed in cooperation with the event.
Timeline
- Aug 16, 8:00 p.m.
- Daimonji lighting (Mt. Nyoigatake, Sakyo Ward)
- Aug 16, 8:05 p.m.
- Matsugasaki Myo-Ho lighting (Mt. Nishi, Mt. Higashi, Matsugasaki, Sakyo Ward)
- Aug 16, 8:10 p.m.
- Funagata Mantoro lighting (Mt. Funa, Nishigamo, Kita Ward)
- Aug 16, 8:15 p.m.
- Hidari-Daimonji lighting (Mt. Okita, Kita Ward)
- Aug 16, 8:20 p.m.
- Torii-gata lighting (Mt. Mandara, Saga-Toriimoto, Ukyo Ward)
- Note
- Each fire burns about 30 minutes; ignition times may shift with rain or strong wind.
How to watch
- Watching is free. Daimonji: along the Kamo River (Marutamachi Bridge to Misono Bridge) and around the Kyoto Imperial Palace; Myo-Ho: Kitayama-dori and the Takano River area; Funagata: the upper Kamo River (Kitayama-ohashi to Nishigamo-bashi); Hidari-Daimonji: Nishioji-dori (Enmachi to Kinkakuji); Torii-gata: the Togetsukyo and Matsuo bridges and Hirosawa Pond area.
- Climbing the five mountains is prohibited on the day of the event; drones are prohibited; keep off riverbanks when rivers are swollen.
Getting there
The five mountains are spread around the city, so choose one fire and its viewing area: Daimonji along the Kamo River, Myo-Ho around Kitayama-dori and the Takano River, Funagata on the upper Kamo River, Hidari-Daimonji on Nishioji-dori, Torii-gata in the Arashiyama area. Official sources give no nearest-station walk times.
Good to know
Is it held in the rain?
The organizer does not state "held rain or shine"; it only notes that ignition times may shift with rain or strong wind.
Can I climb the mountain to watch up close?
No. Climbing the five mountains is prohibited on the day of the event.
Can I fly a drone for photos?
No. Drones and other radio-controlled flying objects are prohibited on the day, for safety and to keep the rite running smoothly.
What is gomagi?
Wooden prayer sticks; write a wish and offer it (an offering fee applies) and it becomes fuel for the fires. They are also accepted at Kyoto City Tourism Association counters such as "Kyo-navi" at Kyoto Station.
Do I need a ticket or reservation?
The organizer publishes no paid seats or reservation system; people watch from public spaces such as riverbanks and bridges.