In 311 daysCrowd impact: Very busy
Gozan no Okuribi (Kyoto Bonfires)
Photo: 佐野宇久井 · CC BY-SA 3.0
- When
- Where
- Kyoto
Every August 16, at the end of Obon, five great bonfires are lit on the mountains around Kyoto to send ancestral spirits back. The lighting usually begins with Daimonji at 20:00, followed by Myo-Ho at 20:05, Funagata at 20:10, Hidari Daimonji at 20:15 and Toriigata at 20:20, each burning for about 30 minutes; times can change with the weather. It is a Buddhist memorial observance rather than a light show, and is watched quietly.
Calmer ways to enjoy it
- Watch a single bonfire from its own neighbourhood — for example Hidari Daimonji from the Nishioji-dori area near Kinkaku-ji — instead of the packed Kamo River banks.
- Funagata can be seen from the Kitayama-dori area in the city’s north, which is far quieter than the riverside near Demachiyanagi.
- Book a hotel room or restaurant with a mountain-facing view to watch from indoors without the crowds.
Crowd impact
Expect around 2.0× the usual crowds near the main venue while the festival runs. This is an estimate, not a live count.
Practical tips
- The Kamo River banks around Marutamachi and Demachiyanagi get very crowded for Daimonji — arrive early or choose another viewpoint.
- Not all five fires can be seen from one place; decide in advance which ones you want to see and plan your spot accordingly.
- Treat it as a memorial: keep voices low, don’t use flash in people’s faces, and take your rubbish home.
Dates & source
Dates checked against the organizer's official website.
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