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Gozan no Okuribi 五山送り火

Checked October 2026 · next check January 2027 · 1 post since 2013

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Visiting Gozan no Okuribi today

  • What it is: A Buddhist ritual on 16 August at the end of Obon. Fires on five mountains form characters and shapes to send ancestral spirits back.
  • When: The fires are lit one after another from 20:00 (in 2026: Daimonji 20:00, Myo-Ho 20:05, Funagata 20:10, Hidari Daimonji 20:15, Toriigata 20:20), and each burns for about 30 minutes.
  • Where to watch: The Kamo River banks are popular, but access may be closed if the water is high, so follow the security staff.
  • Tip: Don't climb the mountains: Mt Daimonji is closed on 16 August and the others are closed all year. The riverbanks are dark, so watch your step.
  • Can't make it? KBS Kyoto and BS11 broadcast the fires, and there is usually a live stream.
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One night only, 16 August

Checked against: Gozan Okuribi | Kyoto City Official Travel Guide · Gozan Okuribi Bonfires (Aug 16) | Kyoto City Official Travel Guide · 五山送り火2026 | Kyodo News PR Wire. Check opening times and prices before you go.

Gozan no Okuribi on Shibuya246

Photos and stories from our visits, as they were written at the time.

Culture

Daimonji Gozan Okuribi Bonfires

On August 16th each year the traditional Gozan no Okuribi 五山送り火 bonfires are lit on the mountain side around Kyoto. This is part of the obon festival.…