Watch Daimonji from Your Private Duplex in Kyoto

Daimonji view from K-Rental Home bedroom

Every year on the evening of 16 August, the ‘Kyoto Gozan Okuribi’ sees characters and shapes drawn in fire appear on the mountains surrounding the Kyoto Basin.

Starting with the ‘Daimonji’ on Mount Higashiyama, at 8:00 PM, the fires are lit in succession—‘Myōhō’, ‘Funagata’, ‘Hidari Daimonji’ and ‘Torii-gata’—creating a scene brimming with a fantastical and ethereal beauty.

It is said that during Obon, observed from 13 to 16 August, the spirits of deceased ancestors return to visit their families. Okuribi (Sending-off Fires) is a ritual performed to bid farewell to the ancestral spirits welcomed during Obon, guiding them safely back to the afterlife without losing their way. The fires are also believed to carry prayers for protection from illness and disasters for the living.

Traditionally, Obon festivals were held in July. However, after Japan adopted the solar calendar in 1873 (Meiji 6), the timing of the festival began to vary by region. In Kyoto, Obon is observed in August—approximately one month later, corresponding to the seventh month of the lunar calendar—based on the belief that arbitrarily changing the date would cause distress to the ancestral spirits.

Although this annual event attracts large numbers of spectators, it is not, at its core, a tourist attraction or entertainment festival. Rather, it is a deeply rooted religious and cultural tradition that was registered as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1983.

HISTORY

One may naturally wonder who first began this solemn ceremony and when it originated. Unfortunately, despite the many theories that have been proposed, its true origins remain unknown.

Among the most widely cited theories are: (1) that it began in the early Heian period and was founded by Kūkai; (2) that it originated in the mid-Muromachi period under Ashikaga Yoshimasa; and (3) that it dates to the early Edo period and was established by Konoe Nobuyuki.

The ceremony is first documented in historical records from the fifteenth century, and it is thought that the current form of the Gozan Okuribi (Five Mountains Sending-off Fires) was mostly established by the mid-Edo period.

Similar to other Obon customs, the Okuribi merges Buddhist beliefs with ancestral veneration and has been maintained through the faith and traditions of local communities.

As a practice based in folk religion rather than political matters, its origins might have simply remained unrecorded.

During the Edo period, the Okuribi featured additional fire motifs like the character "い" (Ichihara-no), a horizontal line (Narutaki), a bell on a bamboo pole (Nishiyama), a snake (Kitasaga), and a long sword (Kankū-ji). Over time, these motifs have disappeared.

MATERIALS

Red Pine

Preparation for the Okuribi bonfires is a year-round undertaking, particularly the procurement of red pine used for kindling and torches.

Not just any wood is suitable for the Okuribi. Red pine, which contains a moderate amount of resin, burns steadily and is considered ideal for use in the torches.

In recent years, however, red pine has become increasingly difficult to obtain. In response, local preservation associations have begun planting and cultivating red pine trees to ensure a sustainable supply for future generations.

LIGHTING PROCEDURE

From 15 August, visitors may submit goma sticks in front of the main gate of Ginkaku-ji Temple. These wooden prayer sticks are offered to honour ancestors and to pray for the well-being of the living. Offerings are accepted until the morning of 16 August.

At each fire site, split pine logs are stacked on a fireproof stone base to a height of approximately 1.3 metres in a criss-cross lattice pattern. The structure is then packed with pine needles and straw.

For the character “Dai” alone, approximately 600 bundles of split pine logs, 100 bundles of pine needles, and 100 bundles of straw are used.

Charcoal

Although the Okuribi fires are lit to bid farewell to ancestral spirits and pray for their peaceful return to the afterlife, many people also offer prayers for their own health and the safety of their families.

The charcoal remaining after the bonfires have been lit is known as keshi-sumi or karakeshi. Because the torches have been consumed in a sacred and purifying fire, the charcoal is likewise believed to possess purifying qualities.

From the following morning onward, local residents traditionally climb the hills to collect pieces of this revered charcoal.

The embers of the Okuribi are believed to ward off epidemics and evil spirits.

Many wrap it in ceremonial paper and place it at the entrance of their homes as a talisman against misfortune and evil spirits, renewing it every year.

Another long-standing tradition holds that anyone who drinks water from a bowl or cup reflecting the light of the Okuribi fires will be protected from stroke.

Some also believe that grinding it into a fine powder and consuming a small amount serves as a vermifuge...

Today, the lighting ceremonies and the management of the firewood are maintained by preservation associations formed by the communities living at the foot of each mountain, ensuring that this centuries-old tradition continues to be passed down to future generations.

K-Rental Home : A Front-Row Seat — Without the Crowds

For most visitors, watching Daimonji means crowded riverbanks, rooftop bars packed to capacity, or a distant glimpse from a hotel window.

At K-Rental Home Kyoto, you can enjoy the view from your own air-conditioned private duplex.

Our maisonette is located in Nakagyo-ku, one of Kyoto's central and quietly residential areas—close to the action but away from the tourist crowds. The duplex design and large windows provide a bright, open space that beautifully frames the city.

On the night of Daimonji (August 16), you'll have a unique, private spot to watch the fires light up the mountains—no jostling or reservations needed.

The Daimonji Bonfire remains a vital part of Kyoto's cultural heritage, blending historical significance with modern celebration.

It continues to be a poignant reminder of the connection between the living and the spirits of the deceased, celebrated through a vibrant communal experience.

Watching it from a private space in the heart of Kyoto is something you will never forget.