A fire destroyed the Reikado Hall of Daishoin Temple on Miyajima Island on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 [1].
The loss of the building is a significant blow to the architectural heritage of the region, but the survival of the temple's most sacred relic prevents a total cultural loss.
The blaze occurred in the city of Hatsukaichi within Hiroshima Prefecture [2]. The Reikado Hall served as the housing for the temple's sacred "eternal flame," a relic that has been maintained for more than 1,200 years [3].
Emergency responders and temple officials worked to secure the site as the fire gutted the structure. Despite the destruction of the hall, the eternal flame was successfully salvaged and moved to a new location [1].
Daishoin Temple is a prominent spiritual site on Miyajima Island, known for its deep historical roots in western Japan [2]. The Reikado Hall was specifically dedicated to the preservation of the flame, which is central to the temple's religious identity [3].
Officials said they have not yet released the cause of the fire. The relocation of the flame ensures that the continuity of the 1,200-year-old tradition remains intact despite the loss of the physical building [1], [3].
“The 1,200-year-old sacred "eternal flame" was salvaged and moved to a new site.”
The destruction of Reikado Hall highlights the ongoing vulnerability of Japan's ancient wooden temple structures to fire. However, the successful rescue of the eternal flame underscores the priority placed on intangible cultural heritage over physical architecture, ensuring that the spiritual lineage of the Daishoin Temple continues regardless of the building's loss.
