Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
View all trips
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Japan Hatsukaichi Kiezu-no-hi (The Eternal Flame)

Kiezu-no-hi (The Eternal Flame)

In 806, Kobo Daishi began meditating on Mount Misen. The Buddhist monk lit this holy fire, which has been kept burning for 1,200 years.

Hatsukaichi, Japan

Added By
Michelle Cassidy , Nicola B
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Kiezu-no-hi   Maksym Grinenko / CC BY-SA 4.0
Reikado Hall, atop Mount Misen   Bernard Gagnon / CC BY-SA 3.0
Reikado Hall, atop Mount Misen   Daderot
  nicolab / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In 806, Kobo Daishi began meditating on Mount Misen, the tallest mountain on the Japanese island of Itsukushima. The Buddhist monk lit this holy fire, which has been kept burning for 1,200 years.

The fire is known as Kiezu-no-hi (the Eternal Flame), and it's one of the Seven Wonders of Misen. Other wonders you can see include Shakujo-no-ume (Holy Plum Tree) a plum tree said to have grown from Kobo Daishi's staff; Mandara-iwa, a rock with writing and illustration from Kobo Daishi; and Kanman-iwa (Ebb-and-Flow Rock), rock where saltwater rises and subsides inside its hollow according to the tide.

Two of Misen's wonders have been lost: Shigure-zakura (Dewy Cherry Tree), a cherry tree that was always moist with dew even on dry days, and Ryuoto No Sugi (Dragon Fire Cedar) A Japanese cedar tree that could be seen as mysterious lights from the sea. The cherry tree was cut down and the cedar died, leaving only a stump.

The last of Misen's wonders can only be heard. Hyoshigi-no oto (Sound of Wooden Clappers) is said to be the sound of beating wooden clappers coming from nowhere. Local legend holds that the sound comes from a tengu, a goblin who lives in the mountain.

Related Tags

Shrines Buddhism Fires Sacred Spaces
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Hidden Japan: Sado Island, Nara & Kyoto

Explore a different side of Japan.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Michelle Cassidy, nicolab

Published

July 21, 2021

Updated

May 8, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Kiezu-no-hi (The Eternal Flame)
Miyajimacho
Hatsukaichi, 739-0588
Japan
34.278339, 132.319662
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Itsukushima Shrine

Hatsukaichi, Japan

miles away

World's Largest Rice Scoop

Hatsukaichi, Japan

miles away

Kintai Bridge

Iwakuni, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Hatsukaichi

Hatsukaichi

Japan

Places 3

Nearby Places

Itsukushima Shrine

Hatsukaichi, Japan

miles away

World's Largest Rice Scoop

Hatsukaichi, Japan

miles away

Kintai Bridge

Iwakuni, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Hatsukaichi

Hatsukaichi

Japan

Places 3

Related Places

  • Mythical canaries adorning the ceremonial hall.

    Tambon Pong Ngam, Thailand

    Wat Tham Pla

    A Buddhist shrine in a cave protected by macaques next to dark passages lined with creepy paintings.

  • Shrine outside Wat Phnom.

    Phnom Penh, Cambodia

    Wat Phnom

    The capital of Cambodia is named after the hill on which this ancient temple complex stands.

  • Mae Nak Phra Khanong shrine at Wat Mahabut.

    Bangkok, Thailand

    Wat Mahabut

    A shrine honoring a legendary ghost bride lies within this vibrant temple.

  • The Venerable Thich Quảng Đức Monument.

    Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    The Venerable Thich Quảng Đức Monument

    A memorial to the monk who set himself on fire to protest the persecution of Buddhists in Vietnam.

  • Oakland, California

    Phap Duyen Tu: The Buddha Shrine of Oakland

    A hardware store Buddha statue installed to deter vandalism wound up attracting Vietnamese immigrants who came to pray.

  • Unawatuna Peace Pagoda

    Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

    Unawatuna Peace Pagoda

    This peaceful, round shrine in the middle of the Sri Lankan jungle acts as a beacon of peace.

  • Kyoto, Japan

    Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

    The 10,000 Torii shrine.

  • A unique place of worship in Umeda, Osaka.

    Osaka, Japan

    Umeda Kitamuki Jizo

    A rare north-facing Ksitigarbha statue enshrined in a passageway off Osaka’s busiest area.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.