What it is
Obon is the Buddhist summer season when the spirits of ancestors are believed to return home. On August 16, the last night of Obon in Kyoto, fires are lit on five mountains around the city to send the spirits back.
The fires form giant shapes and characters on the mountainsides. The first, the character 大 on Mount Nyoigatake, is lit at 8 p.m., and the others follow at intervals of about five minutes. For about half an hour, the whole city looks up at the mountains in quiet.
The festival at a glance
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Aug 16, 20:00 | Daimonji: The character 大, “great”, lights up on Mount Nyoigatake in the east |
| Aug 16, from 20:05 | The other four: Myō-Hō, the boat, the second Daimonji and the torii gate light up at about five-minute intervals |
Which day should you go?
Aug 16, 20:00
Find a spot on the Kamo River banks in the north of the city to see the Daimonji. Each fire burns for about 30 minutes.
What to look for
The five fires
大 (great), 妙法 (the wonderful law), a boat, a second 大, and a torii gate.
Silence
This is a Buddhist farewell to the dead. Crowds are quiet and respectful.
Gomagi
During the day, people write prayers on pine sticks that are burned in the fires.
Getting there & where to stay
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Tōkaidō Shinkansen (Nozomi) to Kyoto Station | about 2 h 15 min |
| Osaka | JR Special Rapid from Osaka to Kyoto Station | about 30 min |
On the day. The fires are lit from 20:00 and burn for about 30 minutes. For the Daimonji, the Kamo River banks near Demachiyanagi and Marutamachi are popular spots.
Crowds. The riverbanks fill up by 19:00. Trains and buses are packed afterwards, so walking back is often quicker.
Where to stay
Central Kyoto (Shijō–Karasuma)
Walkable streets, many restaurants, and subway and bus links to every part of the city.
Kyoto Station area
The most hotels and the easiest arrival by Shinkansen. Buses and the subway start here.
When to book. August 16 is the end of the Obon holidays. Book 3 months ahead.
Times are typical fastest routes. Check current timetables before you travel.
Practical tips
- Views. No single place sees all five. Choose one or two and plan your spot.
- Crowds. Popular viewing spots are crowded. Arrive before 19:30.
- Manners. It is a memorial, not a fireworks show. Avoid loud celebration.
Glossary
Obonお盆
The Buddhist summer season, usually mid-August, when the spirits of ancestors are believed to return home. Bon dances and farewell fires mark it.
References
- Kyoto Gozan Okuribi Federation, official information.
- Kyoto City official tourism site (Kyoto Kanko Navi): Gozan Okuribi.
Last checked 2026-10-12.