Coming August 16th, there will be a five giant bonfires lit on mountains surrounding Kyoto.
It is called "Gozan no Okuribi" the festival held annually from long time ago.
During the mid summer, it is said the spirits of deceased family members visit this world.
It is called the O-bon and the dates are different in different regions in Japan.
The fire is lit to send them back to the spiritual world.
There are five Kanji characters shaped in five mountains which are
-Daimonji (大文字), the character meaning "large" or "great:"
on Daimonji-Yama/Higashi-Yama, Nyoigatake at 8:00PM
on Daimonji-Yama/Higashi-Yama, Nyoigatake at 8:00PM
-Myō/Hō (妙・法), the characters meaning "wondrous dharma" (referring to Buddhist teachings):
on Matsugasaki, Nishi-Yama/Higashi-Yama at 8:10PM
on Matsugasaki, Nishi-Yama/Higashi-Yama at 8:10PM
-Funagata (舟形), the shape of a boat:
on Nishigamo, Funa-Yama at 8:15PM
on Nishigamo, Funa-Yama at 8:15PM
-Hidari Daimonji (左大文字), again, the character meaning "large:"
on Daihoku-San, Hidaridaimonji-San at 8:15PM
on Daihoku-San, Hidaridaimonji-San at 8:15PM
-Toriigata (鳥居形), the shape of a torii or shrine gate:
on Toriimoto, Mandara-San at 8:20PM
on Toriimoto, Mandara-San at 8:20PM
It will be lighted up in this order and it is very spectacular to see.
There will be Free english guide in the night of Daimonji.
Little explanation made before fires lit in the Lobby, then we will open our rooftop for our guests staying in the ryokan that night.
You can see "Daimonji", "Funagata" and "Hou" from the rooftop of our Ryokan.
The Tea ceremony event is open to people not staying in our Ryokan, but this is ONLY for people stayin in our Ryokan.
To book the room, please go to here