a day ago
Kyoto's five mountains lit up with bonfires in annual summer festival
Five mountains encircling Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto glowed with fiery characters and symbols on Saturday night in the city's traditional bonfire festival.
Gozan Okuribi is held every August 16 to send off ancestral spirits during the Bon holidays.
The first kanji character meaning "large" was lit at 8 p.m. on a hillside overlooking the city. Four more designs followed in sequence including a boat and a shrine gate.
Crowds gathered across Kyoto to watch the spectacle. About 330 people viewed the event from the rooftop of a textile center in the city.
Visitors took photos or simply admired the beauty of the fires.
A 7-year-old girl visiting with her family said the character for "large" was bright and beautiful.
Her father said he has been unable to visit his family grave, so he is glad that he could come to the event with his daughter.
Police say the festival attracted a crowd of about 22,000.
