Vandal Caught Smashing Iconic Lantern in Kyoto's Gion

Aug 19, 2026 | News On Japan

KYOTO - Police are investigating after a custom-made chili pepper-shaped lantern worth more than 200,000 yen was smashed outside a restaurant in Kyoto's Gion district, with security camera footage capturing a person striking and destroying the shop's distinctive symbol.

The incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m. on August 11 at Kyo-Kara Kyoto Gion, a restaurant in Kyoto City's Higashiyama Ward specializing in spicy noodle dishes.

Security camera footage shows a person approaching the lantern hanging outside the restaurant before suddenly swinging an arm forcefully at it, breaking the lantern and then walking away.

The lantern, designed in the shape of a chili pepper, had become a symbol of the restaurant. It was a specially commissioned piece made by a craftsman who also produces lanterns for Kyoto's Gion Festival and was valued at more than 200,000 yen.

"I thought, 'How could someone do this?'" the restaurant's representative said. "Customers associate the lantern with us being open, so we even received messages from people saying, 'You were closed,' because the lantern was no longer there."

Police received a damage report from the restaurant and are investigating the incident on suspicion of property damage.

Source: MBS

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