Geikosai New Year’s Festival

One of the three annual festivals at Yakuoin Temple on Mount Takao, this is a memorable way to see in the New Year. Beginning at midnight and continuing until 5pm that day, multiple goma fire rituals are performed to cleanse and purify for the new year in front of the statue of Izuna Daigongen—the image on display in the main hall.

The ceremonies are performed by the head priest of the temple for all visitors (and there are plenty) who climb the mountain to participate. At sunrise, conches are blown by mountain ascetics and the priests recite sutras to welcome the first day of the new year. This is called Geikosai and welcomes the light of a new day.

(Lily Crossley-Baxter)