The Gozan no Okuribi, a traditional event to send off the spirits of ancestors during Obon, will be lit on the evening of August 16, 2025, on various mountains in Kyoto City. On August 14, the Daimonji Preservation Society installed signs informing people to refrain from nighttime mountain climbing, including for the purpose of collecting charcoal, which is believed to bring good fortune. A portion of the fireplace collapsed in June, and the association is calling for cooperation in preventing accidents.
The Kyoto Gozan no Okuribi Association and Kyoto City prohibit climbing on the mountains on the day of the bonfires. However, since Daimonji (Nyoigatake) is open to the public, some people visit on the night of the bonfires to collect charcoal left over from the fireplace.
In June, cracks appeared around three fireplaces at Daimonji, causing the bases to collapse. The damage is believed to have been caused by heavy rain, and the preservation society has recently implemented emergency measures. Signs have been installed at the trailhead and on the nearby Philosopher's Path, providing warnings in both Japanese and English. Chairman Hasegawa said, "We are concerned about secondary damage from falls or tripping. It is difficult to see where you are standing at night, so we ask that people wait until it is light before climbing."
On August 16th, the Daimonji character (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City) will be lit at 8 pm. They are scheduled to be lit every five minutes in the following order: Myoho (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City), Funagata (Kita Ward, Kyoto City), Hidari Daimonji (Kita Ward, Kyoto City), and Torii-gata (Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City). Kyoto City and the association are also asking people to refrain from sightseeing helicopter flights and drone use on that night.
