See & Do
Special Experiences of the Kyoto Gozan Okuribi Bonfires
See & Do
Special Experiences of the Kyoto Gozan Okuribi Bonfires
The Kyoto City Tourism Association (DMO KYOTO), in a first-ever collaboration with the Kyoto Gozan Okuribi Association, will deliver a program for tourists to deeply experience the traditional culture of Kyoto on the day of the lighting of the Kyoto Gozan Okuribi bonfires, a major traditional event of Kyoto. The aim of this program is to support the efforts to sustain the tradition and pass down the cultural values by inviting visitors, chiefly from overseas, to experience and gain deeper understandings of this cultural event.
The proceeds of this project will go to the preservation and continuation of Kyoto Gozan Okuribi.
(The bonfires are lit for approximately thirty minutes on each mountain. The time of ignition may change depending on the weather.)
(2) ① Tour of All Hills of Kyoto Gozan Okuribi (taxi tour)
(3) ② Tour of All Hills of Kyoto Gozan Okuribi (without taxi)
Locations
• Special visit to a site of the Okuribi:
Daimonji (Nyoigatake), Myo-Ho (Matsugasaki Nishiyama & Higashiyama), Funagata (Nishigamo Funayama), Hidari-Daimonji (Okitayama Daimonjiyama), or Toriigata (Mandarayama)
• Okuribi viewing:
Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa or Dr. Komai's Residence
Key aspects of the Special Experience
• For the purpose of learning the history and cultural significance of Okuribi, the participants will enter the Okuribi mountains, which are generally closed to the public on the day of the event (in the case of Daimonji, it is closed to the public from 3pm the previous day as well). *Visits to Daimonji, Myo-Ho, and Toriigata will take place in the morning, while tours to Funagata and Hidari-Daimonji will be in the afternoon.
• People involved in the Okuribi will explain the ritual’s history and how the bonfires are lit.
• English-speaking guides will attend the tours and provide explanations in English.
• In the evening, the participants will view the Okuribi from the Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa or Dr. Komai's Residence.
• Dinner will be served at the Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa before viewing the bonfire lightings.
• In the case of Dr. Komai’s Residence, dinner will first be served at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO. The tours will then go to the Residence to view the Okuribi.
• All transportation, including pick-up and drop-off, will be by reserved taxis.
Price: ¥230,000 per person (tax included)
Participants: Four persons per hill or mountain (total of 20 persons)
*The hill or mountain of the Okuribi site visit cannot be chosen.
Meeting time and place: Participants will be notified after application.
Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa
The Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa, located to the south side of the World Heritage site Shimogamo Jinja Shrine, belonged to the Mitsui Family, who were wealthy merchants. This villa, which was completed in 1925, is composed of an entrance hall and other structures attached to a Meiji-era main building that had been relocated here. This main building and other extensive residential compounds from the Taisho period (1912-1926) have been designated an Important Cultural Property for being a prime example of large-scale Japanese residences preserved in superb condition. Visitors can enter the buildings and take leisurely walks in the garden to appreciate the renowned merchant family’s aesthetic taste in architecture, furnishings, and landscaping.
Link: Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa
Dr. Komai’s Residence
This residence belonged to Dr. Taku Komai, who was an authority in the study of genetics in Japan and often referred to as the “Darwin of Japan.” This well-preserved, early Showa-period Western-style house retains much of its original condition, and is one of the representative works of the architectural firm Vories & Co.
In 1998, the residence was designated as a tangible cultural asset by Kyoto city for its historic and cultural value.
Link: Dr. Komai's Residence
JTB
https://widgets.bokun.io/online-sales/0430c112-83d7-47bc-a6d5-a183c03fc76a/product-list/77613
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Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa plan
Dr. Komai's Residence plan
Tour of All Mountains of Kyoto Gozan Okuribi (taxi tour)
• Extremely hot weather is anticipated during this time of the year, so please come prepared for the heat such as by bringing hats, etc., and hydrate sufficiently.
Regarding plan (1):
• Some parts of the mountains have steep slopes, narrow paths, and thick vegetation that require caution. Those who come dressed too lightly, such as wearing shorts and sandals, may be denied participation.
• Please be informed that there are few if any restrooms in the mountains.
• Please follow the staff’s guidance while in the mountains.
The proceeds of this project will go to the preservation and continuation of Kyoto Gozan Okuribi.
What is Kyoto Gozan Okuribi?
The Kyoto Gozan Okuribi that brightens up the summer sky in Kyoto is a traditional annual event to send off spirits of deceased family members that visited this world during the Bon period. The “Dai” (“great”) character first appears in the eastern mountains. This is followed by “Myo-Ho” (Buddha’s remarkable teachings) in Matsugasaki, “Funagata” (ship) in Nishigamo, “Hidari-Daimonji” (“left-great”) on Okitayama Mountain, and finally the “Toriigata” (shrine gate) in Saga. All five of these Okuribi bonfires are intangible folk cultural assets registered by Kyoto City.(The bonfires are lit for approximately thirty minutes on each mountain. The time of ignition may change depending on the weather.)
1. Experience programs
(1) Kyoto Gozan Okuribi Special Experience(2) ① Tour of All Hills of Kyoto Gozan Okuribi (taxi tour)
(3) ② Tour of All Hills of Kyoto Gozan Okuribi (without taxi)
(1) Kyoto Gozan Okuribi Special Experience Tours
Attended by an English-speaking guide, the Special Experience will visit an Okuribi hill or mountain during the day of the bonfire lighting (August 16) to view the fire pits and hear explanations about the ritual from people involved in lighting the fires. The participants will then go to special viewing locations in the evening to watch the lit Okuribi bonfires.Locations
• Special visit to a site of the Okuribi:
Daimonji (Nyoigatake), Myo-Ho (Matsugasaki Nishiyama & Higashiyama), Funagata (Nishigamo Funayama), Hidari-Daimonji (Okitayama Daimonjiyama), or Toriigata (Mandarayama)
• Okuribi viewing:
Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa or Dr. Komai's Residence
Key aspects of the Special Experience
• For the purpose of learning the history and cultural significance of Okuribi, the participants will enter the Okuribi mountains, which are generally closed to the public on the day of the event (in the case of Daimonji, it is closed to the public from 3pm the previous day as well). *Visits to Daimonji, Myo-Ho, and Toriigata will take place in the morning, while tours to Funagata and Hidari-Daimonji will be in the afternoon.
• People involved in the Okuribi will explain the ritual’s history and how the bonfires are lit.
• English-speaking guides will attend the tours and provide explanations in English.
• In the evening, the participants will view the Okuribi from the Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa or Dr. Komai's Residence.
• Dinner will be served at the Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa before viewing the bonfire lightings.
• In the case of Dr. Komai’s Residence, dinner will first be served at HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO. The tours will then go to the Residence to view the Okuribi.
• All transportation, including pick-up and drop-off, will be by reserved taxis.
Price: ¥230,000 per person (tax included)
Participants: Four persons per hill or mountain (total of 20 persons)
*The hill or mountain of the Okuribi site visit cannot be chosen.
Meeting time and place: Participants will be notified after application.
| Mountain / Hill | Dinner and viewing location | Max. No. of people |
|
Daimonji(morning) |
Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa | 2 |
| HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO/Dr. Komai's Residence | 2 | |
| Myo-Ho(afternoon) | Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa | 2 |
| HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO/Dr. Komai's Residence | 2 | |
| Funagata(morning) | Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa | 2 |
| HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO/Dr. Komai's Residence | 2 | |
| Hidari-Daimonji(afternoon) | Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa | 2 |
| HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO/Dr. Komai's Residence | 2 | |
| Toriigata(morning) | Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa | 2 |
| HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO/Dr. Komai's Residence | 2 |
Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa
The Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa, located to the south side of the World Heritage site Shimogamo Jinja Shrine, belonged to the Mitsui Family, who were wealthy merchants. This villa, which was completed in 1925, is composed of an entrance hall and other structures attached to a Meiji-era main building that had been relocated here. This main building and other extensive residential compounds from the Taisho period (1912-1926) have been designated an Important Cultural Property for being a prime example of large-scale Japanese residences preserved in superb condition. Visitors can enter the buildings and take leisurely walks in the garden to appreciate the renowned merchant family’s aesthetic taste in architecture, furnishings, and landscaping.
Link: Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa
Dr. Komai’s Residence
This residence belonged to Dr. Taku Komai, who was an authority in the study of genetics in Japan and often referred to as the “Darwin of Japan.” This well-preserved, early Showa-period Western-style house retains much of its original condition, and is one of the representative works of the architectural firm Vories & Co.
In 1998, the residence was designated as a tangible cultural asset by Kyoto city for its historic and cultural value.
Link: Dr. Komai's Residence
(2) ① Tour of All Hills of Kyoto Gozan Okuribi (taxi tour)
This tour will visit the gomagi (small pieces of firewood that are burnt in the sacred flames of Okuribi as a form of prayers) receptions of each of the mountains in the daytime of August 15 by taxi to deepen understanding about the history and meaning of Okuribi. The mountains will be visited in the order in which the bonfires are lit.Location: Gomagi receptions of each of the mountains Key features: • The tour comes with gomagi sticks and commemorative cards for each and all of the mountains. You can submit your gomagi for burning and receive a stamp on your commemorative stamp card at each of the gomagi receptions. • You can listen to an audio guide that comes with a leaflet to learn about the history and meaning of Gozan Okuribi. Price: ¥19,800 per person (tax included) Maximum number of participants: 18 Meeting time and place: Participants will be notified after application. |
(3)② Tour of All Mountains of Kyoto Gozan Okuribi (without taxi)
Visit the gomagi receptions of each of the mountains at your own pace and learn about the history and meaning of the Okuribi.Location: Gomagi receptions of each of the mountains. Key features: • You can purchase gomagi sticks, a commemorative stamp card, and commemorative cards for each and all of the mountains on your own, and submit the gomagi and receive stamps at the respective gomagi receptions. • You can listen to an audio guide that comes with a leaflet to learn about the history and meaning of Gozan Okuribi. Locations to purchase: Kyo-Navi Kyoto Tourist Information Center (8:30am to 5pm), Mina Kyoto (1pm to 5pm) Sale period: August 10 (Sat) to August 15 (Thu) Items: • Set A (commemorative stamp card, commemorative cards (set of five), gomagi for all mountains, audio guidebook (with leaflet), bag): ¥2,500 (tax included) • Set B (commemorative cards (set of five), gomagi for all mountains, audio guidebook (with leaflet), bag): ¥1,000 (tax included) • Set C (gomagi for all mountains, audio guidebook (with leaflet)): ¥500 (tax included) • Audio guide (without leaflet): free Gomagi reception: location and hours Daimonji North of Ginkaku-ji Temple, in front of the Preservation Association’s office in the precincts of Hachi-jinja Shrine (Near the entrance to Daimonjiyama trail) 12:30 - 17:00 August 14（Wed）, 2024 8:00 - 17:00 August 15（Thu）, 2024 8:00 - 12:30 August 16（Fri）, 2024 Myo-Ho Entrace of Buemon Building (Subway Matsugasaki Station, west side of Exit 1 10:00 - 17:00August 15 (Thu), 2024 10:00 - 13:00August 16 (Fri), 2024 Funagata Saiho-ji Temple parking lot 8:00 - approx. 16:00 August 3 (Sat) -15 (Thu), 2024 *Reception closed on August 6. 8:00 - approx. 10:00 August 16 (Fri), 2024 Hidari Daimonji In front of Kinkaku-ji Temple 9:00 - 14:00 August 15 (Thu), 2024 7:00 - approx. 14:00 August 16 (Fri), 2024 *Reception also open at Ho’on-ji Temple https://goo.gl/maps/4TUaGcBnr17iHRbVA on August 16 Toriigata Near the eight jizo statues (Hattai Jizo) on Prefectural Route 50 / Saga Toriimoto Kosaka-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 10:00 - 16:00 August 13 (Tue) -15 (Thu), 2024 9:00 - 15:00 August 16 (Fri), 2024 ※The dates and time are subject to change. If the gomagi reach the number available, the reception may end earlier than scheduled.  Commemorative stamp card A commemorative card for each mountain *You can receive each stamp (for each mountain) at the respective gomagi receptions.  Audio guide leaflet Gomagi for all mountains
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2. How to participate
You can apply to participate in the Kyoto Gozan Okuribi Special Experience Tour and the Tour of All Mountains of Kyoto Gozan Okuribi (① taxi tour) on the following websites.Please note that the number of items is limited and we may sell out.JTB
https://widgets.bokun.io/online-sales/0430c112-83d7-47bc-a6d5-a183c03fc76a/product-list/77613
KKday
Old Mitsui Family Shimogamo Villa plan
Dr. Komai's Residence plan
Tour of All Mountains of Kyoto Gozan Okuribi (taxi tour)
3. Advisory notes
• Please be considerate of the event’s nature as a religious event and act with respect for its traditional and cultural significance.• Extremely hot weather is anticipated during this time of the year, so please come prepared for the heat such as by bringing hats, etc., and hydrate sufficiently.
Regarding plan (1):
• Some parts of the mountains have steep slopes, narrow paths, and thick vegetation that require caution. Those who come dressed too lightly, such as wearing shorts and sandals, may be denied participation.
• Please be informed that there are few if any restrooms in the mountains.
• Please follow the staff’s guidance while in the mountains.