Kyoto Ablaze with Five-Mountain Bonfire Ceremony
Kyoto's traditional Gozan Okuribi bonfire ceremony was held on the night of August 16, lighting the skies above the ancient capital as residents marked the end of the Obon season by sending off the spirits of their ancestors. (News On Japan)
KYOTO - In a grand display on August 16, the traditional Gozan Okuribi bonfire ceremony illuminated Kyoto's night sky, marking the conclusion of the Obon season by bidding farewell to ancestral spirits. At 8 p.m., fires were kindled on five surrounding mountains, forming colossal characters that spanned up to 160 meters, symbolizing the large, lasting bond between the living and the deceased.
The ceremony, held each year during Obon, involved the creation of formations such as "Myoho" and a boat-shaped design, casting a gentle glow across the summer cityscape. As spectators gazed at the fiery characters, the event served as a moment of reflection on this venerable tradition. August 16 also brought a flurry of travelers returning from their vacations and hometown visits, crowding train stations, airports, and expressways as the final day of the Obon holiday came to an end.
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