Temple Bells & Shrine CelebrationsSuper destinations for an even better year
Ring the New Year’s Eve Bell This Year
Kaijusen-ji Temple (Kamo Town): The 5-story vermilion pagoda of this temple and its Kannon statue are exceptional. Ringing starts at midnight (tickets will be given out from around 22:00). Access: a 5-min. ride by JR bus or a 35-min. walk from Kamo Stn. on the JR Kansai line. Tel: 0774-76-2256. Kyoto Taishyakuten Temple (Yagi Town): This temple has 108 “wish” bells that visitors can ring, along the path leading to the main hall. Ringing starts from 23:00. Sake and sweet sake (amazake) will be served. Access: bus from Yagi Stn. on the JR Sagano line. Tel: 0771-42-3315. Obakusan Mampuku-ji Temple (Uji City): This Chinese Zen sect temple was established by the Chinese monk, Ingen, in 1661. It is wellknown for its Chinese vegetarian cuisine. Ringing starts from 23:40. Access: a 5-min. walk from JR Nara or Keihan Uji line Obaku Stn. Tel: 0774-32-3900. Yokoku-ji Temple (Nagaokakyo City): The holy water from the well in this temple compound is said to cure eye diseases. In spring, its hydrangeas attract many. New Year’s Eve bell ringing begins at 23:30. Sweet sake(amazake) will be served. Access: 20 min. by taxi from Hankyu Nagaokatenjin Stn. or JR Nagaokakyo Stn. Tel: 075-956-0017.
Hatsumode (New Year’s) DestinationsIwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine (Yawata City): Dating back to 859, this important shrine, dedicated to the god of archery and victory, is a popular Kansai Hatsumode destination. Access: a 20-min walk from Yawata Stn. on the Keihan line. Tel: (075) 981-3001. Muko Shrine (Muko City): The excellently preserved main hall of this shrine is a perfect example of Muromachi-period (1333-1568) architecture. The shrine receives about 60,000 people every year for Hatsumode. Access: a 7-min. walk from Nishimuko Stn. on the Hankyu Kyoto line. Tel: 921-0217. Motoise Shrine (Oe town): The two shrines on the grounds of this shrine are strongly connected with Ise Jingu Shrine, Japan’s most important shrine. Kotai Shrine (inner) has a special black wood gate. Toyouke Shrine (outer) enshrines the god of agriculture. Together these two shrines get about 60,000 people every year for Hatsumode. Access: Both shrines are a short bus ride from Oe Stn. on the KTR Miyafuku line. Tel: Kotai Shrine, 0773-56-1011; Toyouke Shrine, 0773-56-1560.
January 2002 Festival Highlights
Fukutabae at Anao-ji Temple (1/3): On this day monks throw cards from the roof of the main hall. Catching a red card brings good luck. About 4 km from Kameoka Stn. Igomori Festival: This ceremony is held to pray for a rich rice harvest. On the second night, a 2-km long parade, featuring a number of 80-kg flaming torches, departs from Hosono Shrine. In Seikacho. Tel: (0774) 95-1903. Wachi Ningyo Joururi: This event centers around a traditional puppet play, accompanied by traditional Japanese instruments. About 20min from Wachi Stn. Tel: 0771-84-1522. Oni Yarai Shinji: This unusual old-calendar spring setsubun ritual is held at ancient, hilltop, bamboo-grove-surrounded Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine (see Hatsumode).
