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Kyoto Gozan Okuribi Fire Festival – Guide to Fire Characters, Viewpoints & Access

Kyoto Gozan Okuribi Fire Festival – Guide to Fire Characters, Viewpoints & Access
The Gozan Okuribi is a traditional summer event in Kyoto where giant fire characters are lit on five mountains to send off ancestral spirits at the end of Obon. This guide explains the meaning and locations of the “Daimonji”, “Myoho”, “Funagata”, “Hidari-Daimonji” and “Toriigata” fires, and introduces the best viewing spots along the Kamo River, in Kyoto Gyoen, around Arashiyama and from hotel rooftops. You’ll also find tips on crowds, transport and where to stay to make the most of this spectacular night.

Highlights

Kyoto Gozan Okuribi (Daimonji Bonfire) at a Glance

Gozan no Okuribi is a Kyoto summer tradition in which fire characters are lit on five mountains to send off ancestral spirits at the end of Obon.

Date (August 16)

On August 16, fires are lit on five mountains in Kyoto, and large fire characters appear in the night sky.

The Five Fire Symbols

Daimonji (Nyoigatake) / Myoho (Matsugasaki: “Myo” on Mantoro-yama and “Ho” on Daikokuten-yama) / Funagata (Nishigamo Funayama) / Hidari Daimonji (Dainyama) / Torii-gata (Saga Toriimoto).

Choosing Viewing Spots

Along the Kamo River, some spots make it easier to see multiple fires and are popular / Kyoto Gyoen is a good place to see Daimonji and Hidari Daimonji / Arashiyama makes it easy to enjoy Torii-gata around Togetsukyo Bridge.

Access Guide by Bonfire

Daimonji is in the direction of Demachiyanagi Station (Keihan) / Myoho is in the direction of Kitayama Station (subway) / Torii-gata is in the direction of Arashiyama Station (Randen) (other fires such as Funagata and Hidari Daimonji are also introduced).

Tips to Avoid Crowds

Kyoto can get extremely crowded on the day, so secure your viewing spot early and use public transportation to move around more easily.

Where to Stay for Easy Viewing

Staying in the Higashiyama, Kitayama, or Sagano areas can be convenient for viewing. Depending on the view conditions, some riverside places may allow you to see the fires from your room, so it helps to confirm visibility when booking.

For the latest information, please refer to official announcements or check on site.

What Is Gozan no Okuribi? Kyoto’s Iconic Summer Bonfire Festival

Gozan no Okuribi is one of Kyoto’s signature summer traditions, held every year on August 16.

This Buddhist ritual is performed at the end of Obon to send ancestral spirits (Oshōrai-san) back to the other world, and giant bonfires are lit on five mountains surrounding Kyoto.

The sight of huge fiery characters floating in the night sky is breathtaking and draws many people to watch.


History of Gozan no Okuribi

The exact origins of Gozan no Okuribi are unknown, but it is thought that the tradition took on its current form between the Muromachi and Edo periods.

The bonfires are closely tied to the Buddhist rite of sending off spirits, an important event that sends the ancestors welcomed during Obon on to the Pure Land.

In 1983, it was designated as a Kyoto City Registered Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

In the past, it is said that more bonfires were lit than today—such as “い,” “一,” and “a bell on a bamboo tip”—but their number gradually decreased after the Meiji period, and the current five mountains became established.



Bonfire Symbols and Highlights (Gozan no Okuribi schedule)

1. Daimonji (20:00 lighting)

The most famous bonfire lights the character “大” on Nyoigatake (Daimonji-yama),

forming a huge fire symbol: the first stroke is 80 m, the second 160 m, and the third 120 m, with 75 firebeds in total.

Views from the Kamo River banks and around Demachiyanagi are excellent, and the area near Hamaguri-gomon and Kenrei-mon in the Kyoto Gyoen (Kyoto Imperial Palace Park) is also popular for viewing.

2. Myōhō (20:05 lighting)

On Matsugasaki’s western mountain (Mantōrō-yama), the character “妙” is lit, and on the eastern mountain (Daikokuten-yama), “法” is lit.

The two characters form a pair. Viewing points where both are visible are limited, but along Kitayama-dōri (around Notre Dame Women’s College to between Matsugasaki Station) is recommended.

3. Funagata (20:10 lighting)

Funagata is the bonfire drawn on Funa-yama in Nishigamo.

The boat-shaped fire symbol glows as if watching over Kyoto, and around Misono-bashi and Kamigamo-bashi is the best viewing area.

4. Hidari Daimonji (20:15 lighting)

Hidari Daimonji is drawn on Daimonji-yama on Ōkitayama in Kita Ward, and it can be seen from around Kinkaku-ji and Nishi-Ōji-dōri (Saiin to around Kinkaku-ji).

Concrete firebeds are installed on the mountainside, making it a good choice for those who want to feel the intensity of the flames up close.

5. Torii-gata (20:20 lighting)

Located farthest to the west, Torii-gata is drawn on Mandara-yama in Saga-Toriimoto.

Unlike the other bonfires, it is lit using torches, and it has 108 firebeds.

The Arashiyama area has many excellent viewing spots, and views from Togetsukyō Bridge and Hirosawa Pond are especially famous.


Best Viewing Spots for Gozan no Okuribi

  1. Along the Kamo River: From Marutamachi Bridge to Misono-bashi, you can see Daimonji head-on—this is the most popular viewing area. Because it gets crowded, arriving early to secure a spot is recommended.
  2. Kyoto Gyoen (Kyoto Imperial Palace Park): With its wide open grounds, you can view Daimonji clearly and often with a bit more space. The areas near Hamaguri-gomon and Kenrei-mon are especially easy to see from.
  3. Hotel rooftops: For a more luxurious experience, rooftops or upper-floor restaurants at hotels along the Kamo River are recommended. Because these are popular, early reservations are essential.
  4. Arashiyama area: If you want to watch Torii-gata, Arashiyama is best. From Togetsukyō Bridge, you can enjoy the torii-shaped bonfire glowing close by on the Saga mountains.


Travel Info for Gozan no Okuribi

Lighting times

Each mountain burns for about 30 minutes.

After Daimonji lights at 20:00, the bonfires are lit one by one from east to west at 5-minute intervals.

All five bonfires appear between about 20:00 and 20:50—roughly one hour in total.

Access information

  • Daimonji (Nyoigatake): Keihan “Demachiyanagi Station” is closest. Viewing is possible along the Kamo River.
  • Myōhō: Within walking distance from Kyoto Subway Karasuma Line “Matsugasaki Station” or “Kitayama Station.”
  • Funagata: Take a city bus toward Nishigamo. The nearest stop is “Misono-bashi.”
  • Hidari Daimonji: From JR “Enmachi Station,” head north on Nishi-Ōji-dōri, or view from around the city bus stop “Kinkakuji-michi.”
  • Torii-gata: From Randen “Arashiyama Station,” walk toward Togetsukyō Bridge.

Crowds and important notes

Kyoto becomes extremely crowded on the day of the bonfires, and traffic restrictions are enforced on major roads.

We recommend using public transportation and arriving at your chosen viewing spot 1–2 hours in advance.

Because Kyoto is very hot in August, bring drinks and take precautions against heatstroke.

Also, to preserve the atmosphere of the bonfires, the city may request temporary lights-out for neon signs and outdoor lighting during the lighting period.

For safety reasons, hiking the mountains on the day of the bonfires is prohibited, so please be aware.

Where to stay

To enjoy the bonfires, staying in the Higashiyama, Kitayama, or Sagano areas is convenient.

Some hotels along the Kamo River offer plans that let you watch the bonfires from your room, so early booking is necessary.


Summary

Gozan no Okuribi is a grand traditional event that brings Kyoto’s summer to a close.

As the fiery symbols light up one after another on five mountains, they create a solemn spectacle worthy of the thousand-year capital.

Check the lighting times, the locations of each mountain, and the best viewing spots in advance, and experience the power and reverent atmosphere at least once.


Frequently Asked Questions

A. Gozan no Okuribi is Kyoto’s traditional event of lighting bonfires on mountains to send off the spirits of the departed during Obon. It’s strongly rooted in religious practice, and the mood is very different from a fireworks festival. Watching quietly—more as a heartfelt farewell than with applause—helps convey Kyoto’s atmosphere. Considerate viewing manners, such as not blocking others’ sightlines, are important.
A. Gozan no Okuribi is held every year on August 16, with the bonfires typically starting around 20:00 in sequence. As it gets dark, spot selection shifts quickly, so arriving at your viewing place during the 19:00 hour is reassuring. Even in summer, riverside areas can get breezy, so a light layer can improve comfort. Planning with crowd avoidance for the return trip in mind also helps reduce fatigue.
A. The lighting order is: “Daimonji” 20:00, “Myo / Ho” 20:05, “Funagata” 20:10, “Left Daimonji” 20:15, and “Torii-gata” 20:20. Which mountains you can see depends on your viewing location, so it helps to decide in advance which fire shape(s) you want to target. If you move around trying to see everything, it’s easy to miss the key lighting moments—picking one or two tends to be more satisfying.
A. Some places in central Kyoto can see the bonfires, but buildings can block the view, so a clear line of sight is crucial. The Kamo River banks are a classic option, and if you arrive early, you can often find a place to sit. Use a map app to avoid areas with tall buildings nearby, and avoid lingering too long on bridges as a courtesy. Views around Kyoto Station can be limited, so choosing a spot based on which fire shape you want to see is the key.
A. It may still be held in rain, but strong winds or safety concerns can lead to changes in lighting methods or cancellation. If you go out, it’s important to think not only about whether you can see the fires but also about avoiding post-event congestion. Walking a bit to a subway or private railway station can help you avoid entry restrictions at the closest stations. For rain gear, a raincoat is often better than an umbrella because it blocks others’ views less.
A. Because large crowds gather, traffic restrictions and pedestrian guidance may be implemented around areas like the Kamo River. Effective crowd-avoidance tactics include “using a station one stop away” and “moving a little before the event ends.” Restroom lines can become very long right before lighting, so go early. On the way back, avoiding places where people cluster (such as in front of convenience stores) can make movement easier. For families, deciding a meeting point in advance is reassuring.
A. The bonfires can look small in photos, so rather than zooming too much, framing the mountains together with city lights helps convey the atmosphere. On a smartphone, using night mode and bracing against a railing reduces blur. If heads are in your frame, step back slightly and raise your angle to avoid cutoffs. Lowering exposure a bit beforehand helps prevent the flames from blowing out.
A. If you want to avoid the densest crowds, wider sidewalks or parks slightly away from the river’s busiest areas can feel safer. Securing a place to sit helps with stamina. Useful items include drinks, insect repellent, a light jacket, and a small flashlight. Since the walk back is dark, bright shoes or reflective items can help. A contact card is also a good idea for lost-child prevention.

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