Overview
The Daishoin Temple on Japan’s Miyajima Island recently suffered a heartbreaking loss. A fire destroyed the Reikado Hall, a sacred building that housed a flame said to have been burning continuously for 1,200 years. The fire broke out on 20 May 2026 and burned for nearly 16 hours before being fully extinguished. Fortunately, no one was hurt. The flame itself was saved because the temple had already moved a copy of it to another location. The Reikado Hall had been rebuilt once before, after a fire in 2005. Now, the temple faces another difficult rebuilding.
Where Is Daishoin Temple Located?
Daishoin Temple is on Miyajima Island in the Chugoku region of Japan. Miyajima is also called Itsukushima. It is a small island in the Seto Inland Sea, off the coast of Hiroshima Prefecture. The nearest major city is Hiroshima. The temple lies at the base of Mount Misen, the tallest mountain on Miyajima. The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Area that includes the famous Itsukushima Shrine.
A Temple Founded by a Legendary Monk
The temple was founded in the year 806 by Kobo Daishi, also known as Kukai. Kobo Daishi is one of Japan’s most famous Buddhist monks. He created the Shingon school of Buddhism in Japan. He travelled to China to study Buddhism and returned with deep knowledge. After coming back, he performed a 100-day Buddhist training on Mount Misen and founded Daishoin Temple. The temple is the oldest on Itsukushima Island. It was once the head temple of one branch of Shingon Buddhism. By an order of Emperor Toba, it became a place to pray for the peace and security of Japan. Even Emperor Meiji stayed there in 1885.
The Reikado Hall and the Eternal Flame
The Reikado Hall was a special building within the Daishoin Temple complex. It was located near the summit of Mount Misen. The hall was famous for housing the "eternal flame," also called Kiezu-no-hi. According to temple tradition, Kobo Daishi lit this flame during a goma prayer ritual when he founded the temple. That was more than 1,200 years ago, in 806. The flame is said to have been burning continuously ever since. People believed that drinking water boiled with this flame could cure many illnesses. This belief attracted many visitors to the hall.
The Fire of May 2026
On the morning of 20 May 2026, temple officials reported a fire at the Reikado Hall. Firefighters rushed to the scene. The fire burned for nearly two hours before being brought under control. But the Reikado Hall was completely destroyed. A wooden annex building next to it also burned down. The fire was not fully extinguished until 12:08 am on 21 May, meaning it burned for about 16 hours in total. Fortunately, no one was injured.
The fire caused other problems too. Mount Misen was closed to visitors. The Miyajima Ropeway, a cable car that takes tourists to the mountain top, was stopped from running. The ropeway remained closed until safety checks could be completed.
The Eternal Flame Survived
There is good news. The eternal flame itself was not lost. The temple had already moved a copy of the flame to another location. So the fire did not destroy the sacred fire. The temple said the flame "was not affected" by the disaster. This means the flame can still be used in the future. However, the building that housed it for so many centuries is gone.
A History of Rebuilding
This was not the first time the Reikado Hall burned down. The same hall was destroyed by fire in 2005. It was rebuilt the following year. The temple’s deputy head priest, Yoshida Daiyu, said he was “shocked and his mind went blank” when he heard about the second fire. He promised to rebuild again so that local residents and believers could see it restored.
Miyajima: Japan’s Sacred Island
Miyajima is one of Japan’s most beautiful and sacred places. Its name means "Shrine Island." The island is famous for its "floating" red torii gate. During high tide, the gate appears to stand on the water. It is one of Japan’s most photographed sights. The Itsukushima Shrine, built around 1168, is unique because it is built over the water on wooden stilts. The entire shrine complex is connected by boardwalks. In 1996, the shrine and the surrounding forest on Mount Misen were together listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The shrine is a cultural heritage site, while Mount Misen is a natural heritage site. More than 3 million tourists visit the island every year.
True or False: Is 1,200 Years Correct?
Some readers may wonder: can a flame really burn for 1,200 years? In a literal sense, no single fire can burn for that long without fuel. But in Buddhist tradition, the "eternal flame" is a symbolic flame. It is kept alive by continuously adding new fuel and by relighting it from a preserved source. The original flame from Kobo Daishi’s time is believed to have been passed down through generations of monks. So the flame of 2026 is the same flame in a spiritual and ceremonial sense. This is why the temple says the flame has been burning for 1,200 years.
The Fire of Peace
The eternal flame from Daishoin Temple has a special connection to world peace. A copy of the flame was used as the source for the "Flame of Peace" at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. This flame has been burning since 1964 to remember the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and to call for an end to all nuclear weapons. So the fire that Kobo Daishi lit more than 12 centuries ago has become a symbol of peace for the entire world.
What Comes Next for Daishoin Temple?
The temple has promised to rebuild the Reikado Hall. But the process will take time and money. The hall will need to be designed, funded, and constructed. Until then, visitors can still visit the main Daishoin Temple complex. The temple offers many activities. Tourists can try zazen meditation, copy sutras by hand, and eat traditional vegetarian Buddhist food. The temple grounds are full of statues, small shrines, and maple trees that turn beautiful colours in autumn. The eternal flame has been moved to a safe place within the temple. So the flame continues to burn even after the fire.
Exam-Focused Points
| Category |
Details |
| Official name |
Daishoin Temple (also called Daishō-in or Suishō-ji) |
| Location |
Miyajima (Itsukushima) Island, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan |
| Founded |
806 AD (first year of Daidō era) |
| Founder |
Monk Kukai (posthumously known as Kōbō-Daishi / 弘法大師) |
| Buddhist school |
Shingon Buddhism (Omuro school branch) |
Month: Current Affairs - May 22, 2026
Category: World Heritage Sites, Buddhism