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Yamabushi(Buddhist ascetic monk) Experience Tour at Eian-ji Temple "Aizen Fire Festival"

Encounter a new you by experiencing the secrets of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism

At the annual "Aizen Fire Festival" held at Eian-ji Temple, a temple associated with the Maeda family, you can have the precious experience of dressing up as a Yamabushi and participating in a Yamabushi procession and outdoor goma prayer with Shugenja, who have attained enlightenment through severe ascetic practices.


After the Buddhist service, visitors will walk barefoot over the hot ashes of the gomadan while chanting the mantra, "hiwatari," which will help them feel closer to nature and the gods and Buddha, and give them a chance to reflect on themselves.


Contents of Experience

June 7 (Saturday) 9:00-11:00 Preliminary meeting

   Costume fitting, preliminary inspection of venue, etc. 

June 8(Sunday)  9:00-13:30 Aizen Fire Festival

 Costume change, Yamabushi procession (approx. 40 min.), Aizen Fire Festival (approx. 1.5 hrs.), Lunch


Eian-ji Temple

Eian-ji Temple is a separate head temple of the Daigo school of the Shingon sect, located on a small mountain overlooking downtown Kanazawa. The 10-meter high statue of Aizenmyoo is one of the tallest in Japan.


Yamabushi procession

The Yamabushi procession moves in two lines around the temple and within the temple grounds, blowing conch shells and chanting Buddhist sermons in front of the Jizo Hall and Benten Hall. The public participants in Yamabushi attire walk after the Yamabushi, including the predecessors carrying tin cans, Yamabushi holding wooden tags announcing the Shiba Daima Goma Kuyo, Yamabushi with swords, axes, and bows, and Yamabushi carrying boxes of wish literature. They enter the plaza where the fire festival will be held with Eianji temple's chief priest, who is the Aizen Fire Festival's leader.


Aizen Fire Festival

On the first Sunday of June every year, a grand goma prayer is held with Aizen Myoo, the deity of love fulfillment, marriage, and conjugal harmony, as the main deity. A wish is written on a piece of gomagi, incantations are chanted, and the gomagi is burned.


Fire-walking

While chanting the mantra, participants walk barefoot across the fire, which is still burning, to remove past bad luck and to bring new good fortune and happiness.

Information

Organizer
Eianji-Temple
See All Plans Run by this Travel Operator
Price
45,000yen
Inclusions
Yamabushi costume rental,
Lunch on the day of the Aizen Fire Festival,
red seal,
participation certificate,
photography fee,
Accident insurance
Date
Preparation meeting June 7, 2025 (Sat) 9:00-11:00
Aizen Fire Festival June 8, 2025 (Sun.) 9:00-13:30
Notes
If you cannot attend the pre-meeting, we will be happy to discuss this on another day.
Duration
2 days
Location
Eianji Temple
ki 1-7 Tateyama-machi,Kanazawa,Ishikawa 920-0956
By Car
Approx. 20 minutes from JR Kanazawa Station
By Public Transportation
From the East Exit of JR Kanazawa Station, take the Hokutetsu bus bound for Tobu Shako or Kanazawa Gakuin University, and get off at Eian-cho bus stop. Ride about 25 minutes.
Approximately 6 minutes walk from Eian-cho bus stop.
Parking Capacity
50
Capacity
10
Minimum Participants
1
Reservation
First-come-first-served basis
Reservation deadline May 29
Website
Official Site

Organizer

Address
ki 1-7 Tateyama-machi,Kanazawa,Ishikawa 920-0956
Business Hours
8:00~19:00
Phone
076-229-4470
Website
https://eianji.p-kit.com/

Map

Eianji Temple

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Phone Operator Hours
9:00~17:00 
076-229-4470
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