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2021.12.17
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Temples and Shrines in Kyoto Recommended for Zodiac Pilgrimage

The year 2022 is the Year of the Tiger! Temples and Shrines in Kyoto recommended for Zodiac Pilgrimage

The year 2021 is just around the corner, and the New Year's holiday is finally approaching. In this issue, we will introduce five shrines and temples in Kyoto that are related to the Chinese zodiac signs for the year 2022, "Tiger" and "Year of the Tiger". Why don't you start the New Year with good luck by paying a visit to these shrines and temples?

1.Getting rid of bad luck at Unno Tora [Kuramadera Temple] / Kurama

Kuramadera Temple is known as the place where Ushiwakamaru trained and is the most powerful spot in Kyoto.
Bishamonten, one of the main deities of the shrine, appeared on Kurama Mountain in the "tiger month, tiger day, tiger hour" and is believed to be a messenger of Bishamonten, hence the guardian tiger, A-Un, is placed in front of the main hall of the shrine. The "Hatsu-tora Grand Festival" is usually held on the day of the first tiger of each year. In January of the New Year, the "Aun no tora" is presented to ward off evil, and in the New Year of the tiger year, the "Gyuou houin" is presented to protect the temple for the next 12 years until the next tiger year.

Blue maple at Kurama Temple (Niomon)
Aun no tora at Kuramadera Temple

The "Aun no tora" to ward off evil spirits, awarded only in January of the New Year, costs 1,800 yen.

Kurama Temple

  • Kurama
  • 1074 Kurama Honmachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • Short walk from Eiden Kurama Station
  • Tel.075-741-2003
  • Main Shrine Opening Hours
    December 31, 9:00-16:15 (as usual)
    January 1, 2022 0:00-17:00
    January 2 and 3, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    January 4, 9:00-16:30
    *As usual from January 5.
    Reihouden (Kuramayama Museum) is closed until the end of February.
    calendar of events
    Dec. 31, 21:00 Hatsu-Tora eve service (registration closed), 23:30 Nenyo-no-tsutome service, Nenyo-no-kane bell
    January 1, 2022 0:00 Opening of the main hall and offering of prayers, 3:00 Hatsutora Grand Gomamo Service (on the garden of Komyoshinden)
    Gyu-Ou Houin (limited to 1,000), Aun no Tora, etc. will be awarded at the main hall from 0:00 on January 1.
  • Aizan fee / 300 yen

2.Hatsumode at a Zen temple associated with the tiger [Ryosokuin] / Higashiyama Yasui

[Ryosokuin Temple is the pagoda temple of Kenninji Temple, where the flowers in early summer are beautiful.
Bishamondō Hall is flanked by guardian tigers, and the incense burner and lanterns are decorated with tigers in relief, making it a popular place for people born in the year of the tiger or those with a connection to tigers to visit. From New Year's Day, the main hall and the shoin (drawing room) of the temple, which are usually closed to the public, are open to the public. The 32 sliding door paintings of the Hojo, by Sesshu Tenkyou, a famous painter, can be viewed.

Ryoshokuin Sliding Screen Painting
Ryotokuin Toramikuji Temple

The "Tora-mikuji" (tiger fortune), 500 yen, is a healing experience with the gentle face of a guardian tiger guarding Bishamonten.

both feet

  • both sides
  • 591 Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 2 minutes walk from bus stop "Higashiyama Yasui"
  • Tel. 075-561-3216
  • New Year's Special Open House
    January 1 (Sat.) - 16 (Sun.), 2022
    12:00 - 16:30 (Registration closes at 16:00)
    *Awarding of good luck charms is from 10:00 to 16:00.
    Entrance fee/1,000 yen (includes visit to the main hall, Shoin and a walk through the garden)
    Normally closed to the public except for Bishamonten Hall.
    *The number of visitors may be limited for safety reasons.

3.Tora-no-Oema (Tiger Horse) [Matsuo-taisha Shrine]/Matsuo-taisha Shrine area

Matsuo Taisha Shrine was founded in 701 and boasts a history of more than 1,300 years.
The famous New Year's large ema (votive picture) in the hall of worship is one of the most popular items at Hatsumode. It is an enlarged version of the Chinese zodiac ema, which is given to visitors on New Year's Day, and many visitors take pictures of it for their New Year's greeting cards. Cute omikuji (fortune cards) in the shape of a white tiger, which has protected the western part of Kyoto since the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyo, are also popular. There is also a vermilion seal book with a white tiger on it, which is sure to make your heart smile.

Matsuo-taisha worship hall
fortune slip

The "White Tiger Omikuji" with an adorable expression is 500 yen. After drawing the omikuji, enshrine it in the west of the house so that it faces east for good luck.

Matsuo Grand Shrine

  • person going out in pine trees
  • 3 Ranzanmiyamamachi, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 3 minutes walk from Matsuo Taisha Station on the Hankyu Railway
  • Tel. 075-871-5016
  • Visiting hours
    January 1, 2022, New Year's Eve, 23:00-19:00 approx.
    January 2 and 3, 8:00 - 18:00 approx.
    Jan. 4-7, 8:30 a.m. - changes depending on congestion on the day
    calendar of events
    Dec. 31: Grand Ceremony 15:00~, Night Service 16:00~ (for the first time)
    January 1, 2022 New Year's Day Festival 6:00 -
    January 3: New Year's Day New Year's Festival, Chinese Zodiac Celebration Ceremony 9:30~
  • Entrance fees (for both garden and shrine): Adults 500 yen, Students 400 yen, Children 300 yen

4.Pray for good fortune with fukuzasa bamboo to ward off evil [Bishamondou] / Yamashina

Bishamondō" has a long history as a monastery of the Tendai sect of Buddhism.
Bishamonten, the principal deity, is one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, who protects people from evil spirits and the devil's gate, and the temple is open on Tora-no-hi (the day of the tiger). The Hatsu-tora Grand Festival is held on the three days including the Hatsu-tora day, and goma prayers and a three-place Buddhist rite are offered, as well as lucky bamboo branches to ward off evil.

Main hall of Bishamondo
papier-mache tiger in Bishamondo

During the Hatsu-Tora Grand Festival, visitors are given a "papier-mâché tiger" (pictured in the photo) and a "fukuzasa" (2,500 yen), which comes with good luck charms and a lucky charm to ward off evil.

Bishamondo

  • bishamondo
  • 18 Anjuiro Inariyamacho, Yamashina Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • 20 minutes walk from JR Yamashina Station
  • Tel.075-581-0328
  • Entry Time
    9:00 - 16:00 (closing/16:30)
    calendar of events
    December 31st New Year's Eve Revision Ceremony and New Year's Eve Bell Ceremony at the Main Hall 23:15, Bell striking begins 23:45
    January 1, 2022 Hatsu Tora and Revised Buddhist memorial service: Buddhist memorial service at 11:00, Gomaku memorial service at 14:00
    Goma service will be held at the above time on January 2 and 3.
  • Entrance fees: Adults 500 yen, high school students 400 yen, elementary school students 300 yen

5.Hourinji Temple, a temple that is worshipped as the guardian deity of the Year of the Ox and the Year of the Tiger / Arashiyama

Gyoki built this temple in 713. It is also known as the temple of "Jusan mairi" (13 mairi) [Horin-ji Temple].
The main deity, Kokuzo Bosatsu, is a Buddha of wisdom and good fortune, and since he is also the guardian deity of the Year of the Ox and the Year of the Tiger, stone statues of an ox and a tiger are enshrined in front of the main hall. The stone statues of an ox and a tiger are enshrined in front of the main hall. They are worshipped as gods of wisdom and protection for the years of the Ox and Tiger.

The main shrine of Horinji Temple
Aun Tiger at Horinji Temple

Stone statues of a bull and a tiger in front of the main hall. The tiger on the right side of the main hall opens its mouth wide to represent "A" and the bull on the left side closes its mouth to represent "A-Un" (A-Un).

Falun Gong

  • Buddhist service held on the anniversary of someone's death
  • 16, Arashiyama-Kuramaizozan-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
  • 5 min. walk from Hankyu "Arashiyama" station
  • Tel. 075-862-0013
  • Visiting hours
    9:00-17:00
  • Entrance fee/free in the precincts
*Please note that the information contained herein is subject to change without notice.
*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

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