Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, occupies a large portion of the northeastern part of Kyoto City. Known as a student town, it's home to many international students. The ward is home to over 80 foreign nationals, and the Kyoto International Conference Center, an international convention center, is located in the central-northern region. Sakyo Ward also boasts strong ties with other countries, making it one of the most internationally-minded wards in the city. Sakyo Ward is home to many traditional events that have been passed down through the generations. One example is the annual Daimonji Okuribi (Bon Festival) bonfire on Mount Daimonji, held every August. It's a festival to send off the spirits of ancestors, and is said to have originated in the Muromachi period. Every year, many spectators from both inside and outside the city gather to witness the blazing bonfires, scattering hot sparks into the dark night.