Gozan Okuribi and Obon 2026 in Kyoto 五山送り火英語で説明

For International Readers

2020.08.252026.08.16

How offer Goagis? 護摩木の受付場所と時間

Taimoji 大文字

At Hachi Jinja shrine

• 8/14　Around 12:30～17:00
• 8/15　Around 8:00～17:00
• 8/16　Around 8:00～12:00

Matusgasaki Myoho 松ヶ崎妙法

In front of 武衛門ビル (Muemon building residence). Next to No.1 entrance of Matsugasaki sta.　(At Red Alien)

• 8/15　Around 10:00～17:00
• 8/16　Around 10:00～13:00

Funagata 船形万燈籠

At the parking lot of Saihoji temple.

• 8/2～15（Except 8/4、8/6）　Around 8:00～16:00
• 8/16　Around 8:00～10:00

Hidari Daimonji 左大文字

In front of the entrance of Kinkakuji temple.

(At Red Alien)

• 8/15　Around 9:00～14:00
• 8/16　Around 7:00～14:00頃

Toriigata Taimatsu 鳥居形

Near Hattai Jizo (At Blue Alien)

• 8/13～15　Around 10:00～16:00
• 8/16　Around 9:00～15:00

Come on baby light my fire 点火の仕方

As I said before, we can climb only Nyoigatake. I’ll show you how Daimonji is lit.

Each Okuribi consists of small bonfires. These = and ＋ are called Hidoko. On Hidoko, pieces of wood are piled up and they were bunt with Gomagi. Gomagi is a small piece of wood on which we wright our hope.

Each Okuribi 各山の解説

Daimonji 大文字　20:00

Diomnji is most famous Okuribi. It is located on Mt. Nyoigatake. On its foot, there is Ginkakuji temple. We can climb this mountain only. (On 16th, we cannot enter the mountain after 14:00)

In the mountain, there is a small temple enshrines Kukai. As stated before, Daimonji is lit with the candle of a ritual takes place there.

There are 75 Hidokos. On them, pieces of wood was stuck in the 井 shape and pine leaves stuck between them. The charcoal wrapped with a sheet of Hanji paper, tightened with Mizuhiki strings make an amulet.

The reflection of Daimonji on Sake in Sakazuki cup. It is said that if we drank it, we would enjoy good health for a year.

And it is believed that the charcoal of Daimoji keeps away thief from us.

Matsugasaki Myoho 松ヶ崎妙法　20:05

We locate Myo (the left one with 103 Hidokos) is on Mt. Manroto and Ho (the right one with 63 Hidokos) on Mt. Daikokuten. They started when villagers of Matsugasaki accepted Nichiren school of Buddhism. Myo and Ho stands for Myoho Rengekyo（The Lotus Sutra）. It is believed that Myo started in the 14th century and Ho started in the 16 or 17th century.

When Myo is lit, monks read out the Sutra. On 15th people enjoy Daimoku Odori and Sahi Odori dance at Yusenji temple. From 20:00~

Their Hidokos are make of stainless steel. When they are lit, monks start to read sutras out. On 8/15 and 16, Daimoku Odori and Sashi Odori dance performance are dedicated at Yusenji temple.

Hunagata Mantoro 船形万燈籠　20:10

Located on Mt. Funayama. It stands for Shoraisen ship which our deceased ancestors are on. It is believed that it was startede in the 12th century. There is a story about it. Long time ago, a monk called Ennin, the founder of Saihoji temple located in the foot of the mountain, was on the way to Japan from China. The ship he was on was at the mercy of a hard rainstorm. He read out “Mamuamidabutsu (南無阿弥陀仏)” and was saved form the storm.

七里ヶ浜親方

It’s hard to translate 南無阿弥陀仏. In this case, it means…something like “Save me Amitaba (Buddhist deity)!” or something like that.

The bell of Saihoji temple tells the time to light the fire and Rokusai Nenbutsu ritual is held there after when the fire is over.

One of Rokusai Nenbutsu in Mibudera temple on the same day.

Hidari Daimonji 左大文字　20:15

It is located on Mt. Daimojji near Kinkakuji temple. There are 53 Hidkos. Monks make fire at Hoonji temple and people bring it to the mountain to light the bonfire. No one knows when it started.

Toriigata Taimatsu 鳥居形松明　20:20

It is located in Mt. Mandara. There are 108 Hidokos. Some says it started when Kukai made 1,000 statues of Buddhas in the 8th or 9th century.

Only Toriigata uses torches that contain plenty of pain resin and they look brighter than others.

シカさん

Make sure it with the picture.

We can admire Toro Nagashi near Lake Hirosawa (red alien).