A fire completely destroyed the historic Reikado hall on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture this week [1].
The loss of the structure marks a significant blow to the cultural heritage of the region, though the preservation of the site's most sacred element prevents a total spiritual loss.
The blaze broke out on May 20, 2026 [1], and continued for more than 27 hours [2]. Firefighters finally extinguished the flames around midday on May 21, 2026 [2]. The hall, located near the summit of Mt. Misen in Hatsukaichi City, was reported as completely burned [2].
Despite the destruction of the building, the "everlasting fire" — a sacred flame said to be over 1,200 years old [1] — was not lost. Daisei-in head priest Yoshida said the sacred fire was safe because it was being kept in a separate location [2].
Investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, though officials have not yet determined how the blaze started [2]. The scale of the damage suggests a long road to recovery for the temple staff and the local community.
Yoshida expressed his grief over the loss of the historic site. “The cause is not well understood, but it is very regrettable,” Yoshida said [2]. He further noted that rebuilding the hall would be a lengthy process, stating that he has heard reconstruction would be difficult to achieve in just over one year [2].
The Reikado hall served as a focal point for pilgrims and visitors to the island, housing the ancient flame believed to have healing properties. The temple staff now faces the challenge of maintaining the site's spiritual continuity, while planning the physical restoration of the landmark.
“The historic Reikado hall on Miyajima was completely destroyed by fire.”
The total destruction of the Reikado hall highlights the vulnerability of Japan's wooden architectural heritage to fire. However, the strategic decision to maintain a secondary location for the 1,200-year-old sacred fire demonstrates a successful risk-mitigation strategy that preserved the site's intangible cultural value despite the loss of its physical structure.
