Gozan no Okuribi (Daimonji Fire Festival) 2026
On Aug 16, giant bonfire characters light Kyoto’s mountains to send Obon spirits home.
In a nutshell
- What is it?
- Five mountain bonfires shaped as kanji and symbols light up Kyoto’s skyline to guide ancestral spirits home at the end of Obon.
- Why go?
- One of Kyoto’s most iconic summer spectacles — free to watch, dramatic silhouettes, and a rare city-scale night landscape.
- Perfect for
- Evening photography, cultural travelers, first-time Kyoto visitors during Obon
- Time needed
- Aug 16, from about 19:30–21:00 (fires lit from 20:00)
Kyoto’s most striking Obon farewell: giant bonfires shaped as characters and symbols light up five mountains around the city on the night of August 16.
The first and largest character — 大 (dai) on Mt. Daimonji — is lit at 8:00 p.m. The remaining mountains follow every few minutes. Watch from the Kamogawa riverbanks, Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, or hotel rooftops for the clearest views.
Photo tip: Arrive early for a riverside spot, bring a fast lens, and expect crowds. Street lights stay on — expose for the hillside fire and accept darker foregrounds.
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