Gozan no Okuribi

Gozan no Okuribi is a spiritual festival held in Kyoto, Japan, on August 16 each year. Marking the close of Obon, five giant bonfires blaze on the city’s surrounding mountains, symbolizing the return of ancestral spirits to the other world.

• Five giant bonfires are lit on Kyoto’s surrounding mountains
• The festival marks the end of Obon on August 16
• Fires form three kanji characters and two symbolic shapes
• Best views are from central Kyoto and along the Kamo River
• Each bonfire burns for about 30 minutes

What it is

Gozan no Okuribi, also called Daimonji, is a striking festival in Kyoto where five enormous bonfires are lit on mountains encircling the city. It marks the end of Obon, a time when families welcome the spirits of ancestors back to their homes. As night falls, the fires—shaped into kanji characters and familiar symbols—are believed to guide these spirits back to the spirit world. For Kyoto’s people, the glowing mountains are a moving farewell, blending Buddhist beliefs with local tradition and a sense of shared community.

Where it comes from

The exact beginnings of Gozan no Okuribi are unclear, but it is thought to be an ancient practice. The festival’s organization is a hereditary responsibility, with certain families dedicating many hours each year to prepare and maintain the fires. This tradition has been handed down through generations, preserving both the ritual and the sense of duty to the community. Over time, the festival has become a cherished part of Kyoto’s cultural and spiritual landscape.

How it is celebrated

The festival begins at 8 pm, when the first fire—forming the character for 'large'—is lit on Daimonji-yama. Over the next half hour, four more fires appear on other mountains, each with its own shape: Buddhist characters, a boat, and a shrine gate. Locals and visitors gather along the Kamo River and in central Kyoto to watch the mountains glow against the night sky. Many hotels offer special viewing events, and the city’s atmosphere is both festive and reflective. The fires burn for about thirty minutes, creating a powerful visual symbol of farewell and remembrance.

Joining in

To experience Gozan no Okuribi, head to Kyoto’s Nakagyō Ward or find a spot along the Kamo River between Sanjo and Imadegawa Streets. These locations offer sweeping views of the illuminated mountains. Arrive early, as crowds gather well before the fires are lit. While the event is solemn, the city is welcoming, and many hotels and local businesses offer viewing opportunities. As a visitor, you can quietly observe and share in the collective moment of farewell.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Gozan no Okuribi, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Gozan no Okuribi on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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