Gozan Okuribi

Bonfire Festival in Kyoto

Gozan Okuribi Bonfire Festival is a well-known summer event in Kyoto. Five large bonfires are lit on the slopes of five mountains which surround Kyoto-city. It's believed that the spirits of ancestors come back to their homes during obon in Japan. Okuribi are fires lit to send the ancestors' spirits back at the end of obon. Gozan Okuribi takes place around 8 p.m. on August 16th every year.

Gozan Okuribi originated hundreds of years ago. The bonfires depict kanji characters (Chinese characters) in three locations and certain designs in two locations. The most famous fire is Daimonji which portrays the kanji dai meaning large. The length of the horizontal line of the kanji is about 88 yards.

Gozan Okuribi Bonfires:

1. Daimonji (Chinese character, dai)
Location: Higashiyama Nyoigatake Mountain in Sakyo-ku
Lighting Time: 8 p.m.
Where to View: Bank of the Kamogawa River / Imadegawa Ohashi Bridge

2. Myo-hou (Chinese characters, myo and hou)
Location: Matsugasaki Nishiyama Mountain (Mantourou yama) and Higashiyama Mountain (Daikokuten yama) in Sakyo-ku
Lighting Time: 8:10 p.m.
Where to View: near the Notre Dame Jogakuin (to view Myo), bank of the Takano river (to view Hou)

3. Funa-gata (a shape of boat)
Location: Funayama Mountain in Kita-ku Nishigamo
Lighting Time: 8:15 p.m.
Where to View: Saihouji Temple, Kita-ku

4. Hidari Daimonji (Chinese character, dai)
Location: Okitayama Mountain in Kita-ku
Lighting Time: 8:15 p.m.
Where to View: northen Nishiojidori street

5. Torii-gata (a shape of torii gate)
Location: Mandorayama Mountain in Ukyo-ku Saga
Lighting Time: 8:20 p.m.
Where to View: Seiryoji Temple in Saga