On the night of August 16th each year, as summer in Kyoto gradually draws to a close, five mountains are almost simultaneously lit with massive fiery characters, casting a sacred glow across the night sky.
This ritual is a traditional event held at the end of the Obon season in Kyoto. Through the blazing bonfires, the spirits of ancestors who returned to this world during Obon are sent back to the Pure Land. It is a solemn ceremony of farewell to the departed.
On this sacred evening, the people of Kyoto quietly gaze up at the glowing mountains, not only bidding farewell to their ancestors, but also to the passing summer.
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Contents ２. Bonfire Schedule and Viewing Spots |
１. Details of the Five Mountain Bonfires
Five Mountain Bonfires is held annually on the night of August 16. Enormous bonfires are lit on five mountains surrounding Kyoto.
The sequence begins with the "Daimonji" (大) character on Higashiyama, followed by "Myo" (妙) and "Ho" (法) on the hills of Matsugasaki, the boat-shaped fire (船形) on Nishigamo, the "Left Daimonji" (左大文字) on Ōkitayama, and finally the torii gate shape (鳥居形) on Mandara-yama in Saga. All five of these bonfire rituals have been officially designated as Intangible Folk Cultural Assets by the city of Kyoto.
Okuribi, or "sending fire," is a Buddhist ritual marking the close of the Obon season. It serves to send the spirits of ancestors back to the afterlife after their brief return to the world of the living during Obon. It is said that in ancient times, people would throw flaming torches into the night sky, symbolizing the souls’ return to the heavens. This custom became popular among the general populace during the medieval period, especially from the Muromachi era onward, as Buddhism spread deeper into daily life.
Over time, the custom evolved. Rather than casting flames skyward, people began lighting large fire characters on mountains, allowing the guiding light of the spirits to linger over the landscape. These flames not only illuminate the night sky but also reflect the living’s respect and remembrance for their ancestors. Kyoto's Gozan no Okuribi developed from this very tradition.
２. Bonfire Schedule and Viewing Spots
・20:00–20:30 "Daimonji" (大)
The most iconic of the five and the first to be lit. Best viewed from along the Kamo River between Marutamachi and Misono Bridges, or around the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
・20:05–20:35 "Myo" (妙) and "Ho" (法)
"Myo" is lit on Nishiyama (Mount Mantoro) and "Ho" on Higashiyama (Mount Daikokuten) in Matsugasaki. Together, they represent the Buddhist phrase “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo,” central to the Nichiren sect.
"Myo" is best viewed near the Takaragaike Driving School,
"Ho" from the eastern bank of the Takano River.
・20:10–20:40 "Funagata" (Boat Shape)
Following the lighting, Saifuku-ji Temple holds a Buddhist chanting and ritual performance called Rokusai Nenbutsu, which is also designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset.
Best viewed from around the Kamo River between Kitayama and Nishigamo Bridges.
・20:15–20:45 "Hidari Daimonji" (左大文字)
Lit on Mount Daimonji in Ōkitayama, and best viewed from Saidaiji Street, near Kinkaku-ji Temple, and the Saiin area.
・20:20–20:50 "Torii-gata" (Torii Shape)
Lit on Mount Mandara in Saga Toriimoto. Traditionally, stakes were driven into the ground and green bamboo was tied to them to form the torii shape. At the designated time, participants would carry lit torches up the mountain and insert them into the bamboo to ignite the bonfire.
Today, the ritual uses iron fire holders, where torches are inserted to begin the burning.
Best viewed from Togetsukyo Bridge, Matsuo Bridge, or near Hirosawa Pond.
３. Arashiyama Lantern Floating
On the night of the Five Mountain Bonfires, the lantern floating ceremony held in Arashiyama is a beautiful traditional ritual to bid farewell to the spirits of ancestors.
After welcoming the spirits during the Obon season, people light small flames inside lanterns and gently set them afloat on the flowing waters of the Katsura River, symbolizing the return of ancestral souls to the afterlife. This event typically takes place near the Togetsukyo Bridge, where the softly glowing lanterns drift with the current, creating a dreamy and ethereal scene on the river at night.
The lanterns usually made of wood and paper and contain lit candles inside, meant to comfort the spirits and offer prayers for a peaceful farewell.
This lantern floating ceremony is not only a cherished summer tradition in Kyoto, but also a meaningful ceremony that follows the Five Mountain Bonfires, marking the close of the Obon Festival. It embodies the deep gratitude and remembrance people hold for their ancestors.
４. Recommended Items
On the night of the Obon Festival each year, Kyoto holds the Five Mountain Bonfires and Arashiyama lantern floating ceremony, where the light of fire is used to send off ancestral spirits and express heartfelt remembrance. Among the elements used in these ceremonies, the Japanese-style candle (warōsoku) serves not only as a source of light but also carries deep cultural significance related to offering and prayer.
Warōsoku burn with a steady flame and produce little smoke, making them ideal for use at Buddhist altars, temples, and in tea ceremonies or meditative spaces. Over time, they have also become valued everyday items that combine both practical function and aesthetic beauty.
＜Nakamura Rousoku＞ Japanese Candle 6pc set
*This product is available for in-store purchase only.
This particular type of warōsoku is a traditional wood wax candle made from wax extracted from the haze (Japanese wax tree) nuts. Crafted from natural materials, these candles are less prone to dripping and emit minimal smoke, helping to keep altars and indoor spaces clean. They are not only eco-friendly, but also reflect the spirit of sustainable Japanese craftsmanship.
Lighting a candle during ancestral rites such as Obon is considered a meritorious act. On such meaningful occasions, lighting a warōsoku is more than illumination, it is a profound gesture of respect for ancestors and nature.
＜Fillyjonk＞ Torii Necklace and Pierced earring
On summer nights each year, the Arashiyama lantern floating ceremony and Kyoto’s Five Mountain Bonfires come together to create a luminous scene of remembrance and prayer.
On this special day, dressed in a yukata and taking part in the festival, wearing earrings and a necklace inspired by the torii gate adds a touch of serenity and sacredness to your look. The torii, a symbolic gateway to the divine, mirrors the protective glow of the ritual fires that light up the night sky. These accessories serve not only as elegant additions, but also as meaningful expressions of reverence and heartfelt intention.
→ View ＜Fillyjonk＞ Torii necklace here
→ View ＜Fillyjonk＞ Torii Pierced earring here
５．Conclusion
The Arashiyama lantern floating ceremony and Kyoto’s Five Mountain Bonfires are more than just seasonal events. They are profound expressions of the delicate and enduring connection between people, their ancestors, nature, and spiritual belief.
In these moments, whether it’s lighting a Japanese candle, wearing jewelry inspired by the torii gate, or dressing in a yukata to take part in the celebration, each gesture is a tribute to tradition and a profound meeting with the emotions of the present.