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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
