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【August 16th, 2016】 Check out the highlights & sightseeing spots of "GOZAN NO OKURIBI", the Summer seasonal tradition of Kyoto!

Daimonji bonfire, Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi

Daimonji bonfire, Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi
In July 2016, "Gion matsuri", one of Japan's biggest festivals was carried out for almost one month with various events.
Now it is August and Gion matsui is over, but don't forget another summer seasonal tradition of Kyoto.

Also in 2016, "GOZAN NO OKURIBI", the other summer seasonal tradition of Kyoto has come.
It is planned to take place on August 16th this year.

KYOTO GOZAN NO OKURIBI has another name as "Daimonji yaki", and "Daimonji" in Higashiyama Nyoigatake, seen from Kawaramachi area such as Sanjo and Shijo, is famous. But there are other "Myo and Ho" in Matsugasaki, "Funagata" in Nishigamo Funeyama, "Hidari Daimonji" in Ookitayama and "Torii gata" in Kitagawa Mizuoyama. All of these are called "GOZAN NO OKURIBI", meaning sending fires in five mountains.

KYOTO GOZAN NO OKURIBI is carried out every year on August 16th, in order to send the spirits to their own world who had come to our world during Obon festival. This tradition is passed from generation to generation and even now it still takes place. From around 8 pm "Daimonji" in Higashiyama Nyoigatake is lit and then follows "Myo and Ho" in Matsugasaki, "Funagata" in Nishigamo Funeyama and "Hidari Daimonji" in Okitayama and finally "Torii gata" in Kitasaga Mizuoyama. About 8:20 pm with 5 fires, GOZAN NO OKURIBI is completed. The time of the lit fire around 30 to 60 minutes, and this GOZAN NO OKURIBI on August 16th at the end of Obon festival is regarded as an event which represents Kyoto's summer.

In this article let's see the highlights and recommended sightseeing spots of "GOZAN NO OKURIBI", the seasonal tradition in Summer.


Article of 2016 "GOZAN NO OKURIBI" in Kyoto



1, Useful information of 2016 KYOTO "GOZAN NO OKURIBI"
2, About KYOTO "GOZAN NO OKURIBI"
3, Recommended spots of "GOZAN NO OKURIBI"
4, Photos and video of "GOZAN NO OKURIBI"
5, Access information to the venues (good view spots) of 2016 KYOTO "GOZAN NO OKURIBI"
6, Comments from EnjoyJapan! Editorial dept.


1, Useful information 2016 KYOTO "GOZAN NO OKURIBI"



Event information



Yukiさん(@gawakita3)が投稿した写真 -


Quote: instagram/gawakita3さん

Name: KYOTO "GOZAN NO OKURIBI"
Name in English: KYOTO GOZAN NO OKURIBI
Prefecture: Kyoto
Area: Kyoto city
(Shijo and Sanjo area/ Kawaramachi area/ Kitayama area/ Kinkakuji area and the others)
Date:August 16, 2016
Parking: There is metered parking in each area
※On the day of the event, heavy traffic is expected in Shijo and Sanjo area. Transportation by trains and metro is recommended.

Useful information site: https://www.kyokanko.or.jp/okuribi/index.html

Useful information



Less than 10 minutes walk from the nearest station: Yes
※There are many nearest stations to good view spots.

Purpose: Friends/Date/Family/Alone
Free Wi-Fi: Unknown
Average stay time: approx.1 hour or more
Other useful information:

・On the day of GOZAN NO OKURIBI event, heavy traffic is expected in Shijo, Sanjo area and along Kamogawa river. It is recommended to use public transportation such as train and metro.


2, About "GOZAN NO OKURIBI"



Daimonji of KYOTO GOZAN NO OKURIBI

Gozan okuribi takes place on Aug.16th every year in order to send the spirits who came to our World during Obon festival to their own holly place. It has been carried out in Kyoto from ancient time.

The bonfire figures of letters or marks described on five mountains in Kyoto city, such as "Daimonji" in Higashiyama Nyoigatake, "Myo and Ho" in Matsugaseki, "Funagata" in Nishigamo Funeyama, "Hidari Daimonji" in Okitayama amd "Torii gata" in Kitasaga Mizuoyama, with all of which is called "GOZAN NO OKURIBI".

The five bonfires are lit one by one on the mountains, and Gomagi woods, which are regarded holly woods, are used to make fire. On the day many neon lights and advertising lights are put off and the entire Kyoto city sees the bonfires of GOZAN NO OKURIBI until the end. Gomagi wood, you can write your wishes on it and dedicate to the temple or shrine. If you have a chance, please try and write your with and make a contribution.

Infomation of GOZAN NO OKURIBI



1, Daimonji (in Higashiyama Nyoigatake)


Quote: instagram/kotone.kyotoさん

Putting fire time: starts at 20:00
Reception days of Gomagi: on Aug.15 12:00~20:00/on Aug.16 6:00~15:00
Reception place of Gomagi: In front of Ginkakuji
Price of Gomagi: 300 yen
Recommended good view spot:
・Shijo, Sanjo and along Kamogawa river
・Demachi yanagi along Kamogawa river

2, Myo and Ho (in Matsugasaki)


Quote: instagram/dekoboko84さん

Putting fire time: starts at 20:05
Reception Gomagi: Not available
Recommended good view spot:
・Around "Matsugasaki" sation of metro Karasuma line
・Along Koya river
・Along Kitayama street

3, Funagata (in Nishigamo Funeyama)


Quote: instagram/aoraithm_photo33sicさん

Putting fire time/20:10
Reception days of Gomagi: From Aug.3rd to 15 th 8:00~16:00/On Aug.16, 7:00~10:00
Reception place of Gomagi: In front of Saihoji
Price of Gomagi: 300 yen
Recommended good view spot:
・Along Kitayama street

4, Hidari Daimonji (in Okitayama)

YOKOさん(@yk._.yk)が投稿した写真 -


Quote: instagram/yk._.ykさん

Putting fire tine/20:15
Reception days of Gomagi: On Aug. 15, 9:00~15:00/On Aug.16, 7:00~14:00
Reception place of Gomagi: In front of Kinkakuji
Price of Gomagi: 300 yen
Recommended good view spot:
・Along Nishioji street

5, Torii gata (In Kitasaka Mizuoyama)


Quote: instagram/iwanderwithmycameraさん

Putting fire time/20:20
Reception days of Gomagi: From Aug.13〜15 10:00~16:00/On Aug.16 9:00~15:00
Reception place of Gomagi: Adashino Nenbutsuji
Price of Gomagi: 300 yen
Recommended good view spot:
・Arashiyama and Matsuo area

GOZAN NO OKURIBI information movie



The following is the information video of "GOZAN NO OKURIBI".
Please take a look for your information.




3, Recommended spots of "GOZAN NO OKURIBI"



KYOTO GOZAN NO OKURIBI Map
Quote: Kyoto city tourism association "GOZAN NO OKURIBI" official site/https://www.kyokanko.or.jp/okuribi/enkaku.html

On Aug.16, there are many traffic regulation and good view spots are open only for pedestrians. So driving is not recommended.

If you stay in a hotel which prepares special view spot, you would be able to see all the five bonfires of "GOZAN NO OKURIBI".

Recommended good view spot for "Daimonji"

"Daimonji" can be seen clearly from Hankyu line "Demachiyanagi" station area along Kamogawa river.

Recommended good view spot for "Myo and Ho"

"Myo and Ho" can be seen clearly from Kyoto city metro Karasuma line "Katsugasaki" station to the north.

Recommended good view spot for "Hidari Daimonji"

It can be seen well along Nishioji street up to nroth.

Recommended good view spot for "Torii gata"

"Torii gata" can be seen well from Hankyu line "Arashiyama" station or Keifuku Arashiyama line "Arashiyama" station.

For your information: For the traffic information and recommended spots of Aug.16, please visit also here:
here for good view spots map of "Kyoto Gozan no okuribi"


4, Photos and video of "GOZAN NO OKURIBI"



Here are photos of historic "GOZAN NO OKURIBI", which is carried out every year in Kyoto.

"Daimonji" in Higashiyama Nyoigatake



Daimonji of KYOTO GOZAN NO OKURIBI

From the moment of putting fire to Dai letter gradually mysterious scenery can be seen until the fire has burned out.

"Myo and Ho" in Matsugasaki



@kana.spgが投稿した写真 -


Quote: instagram/kana.spgさん

To the north direction from Kyoto city, the letters of "Myo" and "Ho" are lit.

"Funagata" in Nishigamo Funeyama




Quote: instagram/yukiuesakaさん

If you see it closely, the Gomagi are burning vigorously! You can feel the great force of the fire which can be seen only from the close spot.

View from "Daimonji" in Higashiyama Nyoigatake



View from Daimonji mountain of Kyoto GOZAN NO OKURIBI

This is the scenery from Daimonji mountain at the time of putting fire.
Kyoto city can be seen from Daimonji mountain like this!

#kyoto #京都市 #nyoigatake #五山送り火 #japan #大文字 #sunset

Keith Pezshowerさん(@instagram_schminstagram)が投稿した写真 -


Quote: instagram/instagram_schminstagramさん

At day time, the scenery is like this.

Video of 2012 GOZAN NO OKURIBI



The following is the video of GOZAN NO OKURIBI in 2012.




5, Access information the venues (good view spots) of 2016 KYOTO "GOZAN NO OKURIBI"



Access information to the recommended good view area for "Daimonji" in Higashiyama Nyoigatake





"Demachiyanagi", "Sanjo Keihan" and "Matsutamachi" staions of Keihan line and along Kamo rivers are recommended spots.

Transportation (by train):

Around "Demachiyanagi" staion of Keihan line
Around "Sanjo Keihan" station of Keihan line

Access information to the recommended good view area for "Myo and Ho" in Matsugasaki





Kyoto city metro "Matsugasaki" station and "Kitayama" staion, or the areas around are recommended.


Transportation (by train):

Around Kyoto city metro Karasuma line"Matsugasaki" station
Aroung Kyoto city metro Karasuma line "Kitayama" station

Access information to the recommended good view area for "Funagata" in Nishigamo Funeyama





From Kyoto city metro "Kitayama" station, go to the west and there is "Kitayama Ohashi" bridge. The area around the bridge is recommended.

Transportation (by train):

Around Kyoto city metro Karasuma line "Kitayama" station

Access information to the recommended good view area for "Hidari Daimonji" in Okitayama





Nishioji street and "Kinkakuji" area are recommended.

Transportation:

(Train)
Take taxi from "Imadegawa" sation of Kyoto city metro Karasuma line for 15 minutes
Take taxi from JR "Kyoto" station for 20 minutes

(Bus)
From JR Kyoto station
Take Kyoto city bus 205 route/101 toute and get off at "Kinkakuji" and walk for 3 minutes or get off at "Kingakuji do" and walk 1 minute

Access information to the recommended good view area for "Torii gata" in Kitasaga Mizuoyama





Around Hankyu line "Matsuo"station and "Arashiyama" station are recommended.

Transportation (by train):

Around Hankyu line Arashiyama line "Matsuo" station
Around Hankyu line Arashiyama line "Arashiyama" station


6, Comments from EnjoyJapan! Editorial dept.



mihoさん(@lapismer)が投稿した写真 -


Quote:instagram/lapismerさん

Every year on August 16th, "GOZAN NO OKURIBI" is carried out at the end of Obon festival. It starts with unique atmosphere and the fire grows suddenly for short time, and them the flame are burning out gradually. You can see the moments of the bonfires. While the five marks burn such as "Daimonji, Myoho, Funagata, Hidari Daimonji and Torii gata", Kyoto people say good bye to the ancestors and feel the end of the Summer at the same time.

GOZAN NO OKURIBI is the event only seen in Kyoto.
Please do not miss the precious event if you have a chance.

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Date created:2016/03/01

Last update:2016/10/03

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