Gozan no Okuribi

The five mountain fires

Each blaze has a particular shape, with three forming kanji characters and two showing recognizable figures. The first to be ignited at eight in the evening is Daimonji on Mount Nyoigatake, displaying the character for great. Ten minutes later, the characters Myo and Ho, which represent wondrous Buddhist teachings, appear on the Matsugasaki hills. They are followed by Funagata, a burning ship, and Hidari Daimonji, a second great character on the western peaks. Lastly, Toriigata forms the outline of a shrine gate on Mount Mandara. Lighting takes place in sequence across twenty minutes, and every fire burns for roughly half an hour.

Caretakers and origins

The exact historical beginnings of Gozan no Okuribi remain uncertain, though the ceremony is considered ancient. The massive effort needed to prepare and tend the fires rests with dedicated local lineages who hold this responsibility across generations. These families contribute extensive volunteer hours throughout the year to gather fuel, maintain the slopes, and arrange the logistics. While the scale of the fires was temporarily reduced in 2020 due to health restrictions during the pandemic, the continuity of the tradition is maintained by these hereditary groups.

Gathering to watch

On the evening of August sixteenth, onlookers assemble across the city to view the hillside illuminations. Popular viewing areas include the banks of the Kamo River, particularly between Sanjo and Imadegawa Streets, where people gather to see the earliest fires flare up against the dark. Nakagyo Ward in central Kyoto offers broad sightlines toward multiple ridges. Many local hotels also host rooftop events allowing visitors to observe several bonfires at once as the hillside silhouettes light up the summer night.

How Gozan no Okuribi is kept

Organizing families prepare the firewood and hillside plots well in advance. At eight o'clock in the evening on August sixteenth, the first fire is set alight on the eastern peak of Nyoigatake. At intervals of five to ten minutes, teams on four other mountains ignite the remaining symbols: the Buddhist phrases, a boat, a second character for greatness, and a shrine gate. By half past eight, all five shapes blaze simultaneously across the ring of hills, burning for thirty minutes before fading into darkness.

When and where

The festival takes place every year on the evening of August sixteenth. It serves as the concluding event of Obon, a season dedicated to welcoming and honouring ancestral spirits before sending them home.

Gozan no Okuribi is held on five mountains surrounding the city of Kyoto in Japan. The bonfires can be seen from open areas throughout the city, notably from the Kamo River banks and Nakagyo Ward.

What Gozan no Okuribi means

In Japanese belief, the spirits of ancestors return to visit living family members during Obon. Gozan no Okuribi translates to send-off fires, acting as beacons that light the way for these departed souls as they complete their earthly visit and journey back to the spiritual realm. The characters also reference sacred Buddhist dharma and protective shrine symbols.

Days Gozan no Okuribi is marked

Questions people ask about Gozan no Okuribi

See also

PretaOfferings and rites for spirits enduring deep hunger across Asian traditions.HiganA Japanese Buddhist week of reflection and ancestor remembrance at the equinoxesHalloweenAn annual observance on 31 October marking the eve of All Saints' Day, rooted in Christian tradition and Celtic heritageHanamiA Japanese spring custom of gathering under blooming cherry trees to eat, drink, and celebrate the fleeting beauty of th

Good reading and sources

• Gozan no Okuribi on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.