Discover the enchanting traditions of Gozan no Okuribi 2024 in Kyoto, a captivating event steeped in cultural heritage and spiritual significance.
Contents
About Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi
Gozan no Okuribi is a traditional event to send off the souls of ancestors welcomed during Obon. It has also been designated as a Kyoto City Registered Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
It takes place every year on August 16th, at the end of the Obon period, the characters "大'' (meaning "big letter") and "妙法'' (meaning "Mystic law"), along with torii gates and boat-shaped symbols, are lit up with flames on five mountains around Kyoto.
There are various theories about when this event began, but it is said to have started after the Muromachi period (1336-1568) when Buddhism was widely spread in Japan.
Additionally, there is a belief that if you write your name and the name of your illness on a piece of Gomagi, place it on top of the split wood of the Okuribi fire, and burn it, your disease will be cured.
It attracts locals and tourists every year, and is one of Kyoto's most representative summer events, along with the Gion Festival.
Obon: Obon is a summer custom in Japan, held from August 13th to 16th to welcome and offer memorial services to the spirits of ancestors. During this period, relatives and families gather to visit graves and express their gratitude to their ancestors' spirits.
Gomagi: Gomagi is a type of wood used for burning in a holy fire.
Daimonji-Bonfire
Daimonji bonfire is the most famous of the Gozan no Okuribi bonfires because it is the first to be lit and also the largest.
Lighting time
20:00 ~ 20:30
Best Viewing Spots
Reception for Gomagi
Please check the official website for more details.
Matsugasaki Myoho-Bonfire
The characters "Myo" and "Ho," which together mean "Mystic Law," are lit on two separate mountains.
Lighting time
20:05 ~ 20:35
Best Viewing Spots
Reception for Gomagi
There is no reception for Gomagi.
Funagata Mantoro-Bonfire
A bonfire with a symbol representing a boat.
Lighting time
20:10 ~ 20:40
Best Viewing Spots
Reception for Gomagi
Please check the official website for more details.
Hidari Daimonji-Bonfire
A Daimonji bonfire (meaning "big letter") lights up the mountain behind Kinkaku-ji Temple.
Lighting time
20:15 ~ 20:45
Best Viewing Spots
Reception for Gomagi
Please check the official website for more details.
Toriigata Taimatsu-Bonfire
A bonfire with a symbol representing a torii gate.
Lighting time
20:20 ~ 20:50
Best Viewing Spots
Reception for Gomagi
Please check the official website for more details.
Getting there from Tokyo
From Tokyo, you can easily reach Kyoto Prefecture, the site of the Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi 2024, by Shinkansen or Plane.
Shinkansen
Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen
Tokyo Station -> Kyoto Station
Travel time: Approximately 2 hours 10 minutes
Plane
- Haneda Airport -> Kansai International Airport
- Travel time: Approximately 1 hour 23 minutes
Kansai-Airport Limousine Bus
- Kansai International Airport -> Kyoto Station
- Travel time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi 2024 Event Schedule
Dates: August 16th (every year)
Time: 20:00 ~ 20:50
- Daimonji-Bonfire 20:00 ~ 20:30
- Matsugasaki Myoho-Bonfire 20:05 ~ 20:35
- Funagata Mantoro-Bonfire 20:10 ~ 20:40
- Hidari Daimonji-Bonfire 20:15 ~ 20:45
- Toriigata Taimatsu-Bonfire 20:20 ~ 20:50
Each fire is lit for approximately 30 minutes.
Venue: Kyoto
Entry: Free
Official Website: Gozan Okuribi Rengoukai