On the night of August 13, the sacred mountain monastery complex of Mount Kōya transforms into an ethereal landscape as thousands of candles and lanterns are lit throughout the Okunoin Cemetery — the largest cemetery in Japan, containing over 200,000 tombstones beneath ancient cedar trees. The festival is held to comfort the spirits of the deceased ahead of the Obon season, and monks from Kongōbu-ji temple lead memorial services deep in the forest. The flickering candlelight illuminating centuries-old graves and stone lanterns creates an atmosphere of profound spiritual beauty unique in the world. Mount Kōya is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the center of Shingon Buddhism.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Culture
- Season
- Summer
- Month
- August 13
- Region
- Kansai
- Prefecture
- Wakayama
- City
- Koya
Highlights
- ◆Thousands of candles lighting 200,000 tombstones in ancient forest
- ◆Buddhist memorial rites led by Shingon monks
- ◆UNESCO World Heritage Site atmosphere at night
- ◆Japan's most spiritually atmospheric Obon memorial event
- ◆Towering 400-year-old cedar trees silhouetted by candlelight