Tragedy on Miyajima: 1,200-Year-Old 'Eternal Flame' Hall at Mt. Misen Destroyed by Fire

On the morning of May 20, 2026, a fire broke out near the summit of Mt. Misen on Miyajima Island in Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture—a site recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage island. The blaze completely destroyed the "Reikado Hall" of Daishoin Temple, which enshrines the "Eternal Flame" (Kiezu-no-hi), a sacred fire associated with the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai). Despite a large-scale emergency response involving eight fire engines and helicopters, which succeeded in bringing the fire under control by 10:35 AM that day, the loss of the historic building has left the public in shock.

Reikado Hall is a vital cultural structure that serves as the repository for the "Eternal Flame," which is said to have burned continuously for approximately 1,200 years since Kukai first lit it during his ascetic training. This fire is also significant for being one of the source flames for the "Flame of Peace" in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, holding immense historical and spiritual value. According to the latest reports and statements from officials, although the building was razed, the sacred flame itself is fortunately safe, having been carried out of the structure before it was consumed.

In the wake of the incident, social media was flooded with mournful comments, with many users lamenting, "It is heartbreaking to see 1,200 years of history lost in a single day," and "I am shocked; I only just visited recently." The fire has also sparked a broader discussion regarding the safety of cultural properties, with many calling for reinforced security and fire prevention measures at shrines and temples following a series of similar incidents across Japan.

According to Hatsukaichi City and local authorities, entry to Mt. Misen was temporarily prohibited, and the Miyajima Ropeway suspended all operations for the day. The fire also spread to parts of the surrounding forest, and authorities are currently investigating the exact cause of the blaze. As the community looks toward the future, attention is focused on how this sacred flame—which was historically used to light the first blast furnace at the state-owned Yawata Steel Works—will be protected and how the hall might be rebuilt.

The context

Miyajima, also known as Itsukushima, is famous worldwide for its "floating" torii gate and Itsukushima Shrine. Mt. Misen is the island's highest peak and has been a site of religious worship for over a millennium. Daishoin, the temple that manages Reikado Hall, is the oldest temple on the island and serves as a major center for Shingon Buddhism. The "Eternal Flame" is one of the island's most revered treasures, symbolizing continuity and peace, and its preservation is considered a matter of national cultural importance in Japan.