Daimonji Festival Kyoto: A spectacular send-off for ancestral spirits

  • Published on : 05/03/2024
  • by : Japan Experience

As the sun sets over Kyoto on August 16th, an extraordinary spectacle unfolds on the surrounding mountains. The Daimonji Festival, formally known as Gozan no Okuribi, illuminates the night sky with massive bonfires forming ancient characters and symbols. This centuries-old tradition marks the culmination of Obon, a period when ancestral spirits are believed to return to the mortal realm. Thousands gather to witness this awe-inspiring event, as the city bids farewell to its departed loved ones in a blaze of light and reverence. The Daimonji Festival is not merely a visual feast but a profound cultural experience that intertwines Buddhist beliefs, family bonds, and the cyclical nature of life and death.

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