Location: Akibasan Ryougaku-in Temple Precincts, Odawara-City
Kanagawa This Month - Latest Kanagawa Tourist Information
December 2007
- Yamate Western House Fun Christmas Tour Yamate, Yokohama Western House “World Christmas 2007”
- Akibasan Hibuse Festival
- Gochinza Memorial Festival
- Create beautiful skin at Ashigara Onsen “Only You”
- Iizumi Kannon Daruma Doll Fair
- Hase Kannon Toshi no Ichi Fair
- Osame no Daishi Fair
- Misaki Tuna Festival Big Sale
Yamate Western House Fun Christmas Tour
Yamate, Yokohama Western House “World Christmas 2007”
: December 1 (Sat) to December 25 (Tues)
8 Western Houses and the Museum of Tennis will be lit up, for a total of 9 buildings in the hills of Yamate, Yokohama. Each house will be decorated inside with the theme of Christmas in different countries. Various events are also planned.
*Entry is free
*Entry is free
For details, contact Berrick Hall (Tel: 045-663-5685)
Akibasan Hibuse Festival : December 6 (Thurs)
The Hibuse Festival is held once a year at Akibasan Ryougaku-in Temple, known for the god of hibuse (fire prevention). Approximately 30 yamabushi monks who gather from across Japan will hold a solemn ceremony. That evening, after lighting firewood, the fire festival will begin. Once the wood burns down, yamabushi and festival participants will perform the amazing feat of walking across it barefoot, known as “hiwatari.”
For details, contact Akibasan Ryougaku-in Temple (Tel: 0465-22-6025)
From Odawara Station, get on the Hakone Tozan Railway and get off at Hakone Itabashi Station. Approximately 7-minute walk.
> Mt. Akiba Gongen Hibuse Festival
Gochinza Memorial Festival : December 16 (Sun)
Location: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Kamakura-City
The Gochinza Memorial Festival is held in honor of the day the main shrine of the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine was enshrined. After a ritual at the main shrine, a bonfire will be lit at the Maiden Kita Niwa garden within the shrine precincts. “Miyabito no Kyoku” songs will be accompanied by “Miyabito no Mai” dance, and secret “Sokonoma” music will be accompanied by “Ninchou no Mai” dance.
For details, contact Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (Tel: 0467-22-0315)
Approximately 10-minute walk from Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line
> Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine
> Gochinza-KinennSai
http://www.hachimangu.or.jp (Japanese)
Create beautiful skin at Ashigara Onsen “Only You”
Day trip onsen opened November 20
Location: 1520 Hiromachi, Minami-Ashigara-City
Location: 1520 Hiromachi, Minami-Ashigara-City
“Only You” is a modern style day trip onsen (hot spring) that was opened November 20th and features onsen including iwaburo (stone baths) and rotenburo (open-air baths). Visitors can participate in classes including zen meditation, sutra copying, and yoga. A Japanese style café, buffet of fresh vegetables, spa, and massage are also available. Open from 9:00 to 22:00.
Rates: Basic Rate 1,800 yen / Children 900 yen (Member’s discount is available)
Rates: Basic Rate 1,800 yen / Children 900 yen (Member’s discount is available)
For details, contact Only You (Tel: 0465-72-1126)
Take the Daiyuuzan Line to Daiyuuzan Station and switch to the bus, then get off at Only You-mae (Onrii Yuu-mae) (approximately 20 minutes)
Iizumi Kannon Daruma Doll Fair
: December 17 (Mon) to December 18 (Tues)
Location: Iizumi Kannon Temple, Iizumi, Odawara-City
A fair with a very long history, the Iizumi Kannon Daruma Doll Fair is held at Iizumi-zan Shofukuji Temple (Iizumi Kannon Temple) and is the first of many daruma fairs that are held near the end of the year and the beginning of New Year in the Kanto region. Shops and stalls selling large and small lucky daruma dolls, including Soshu Daruma, will fill the shrine precincts, which remain lively until late at night.
For details, contact Iizumi Kannon Shrine (Tel: 0465-47-3413)
From East Exit of Odawara Station, take the Shin-Matsuda Station-bound or Shimosoga Station-bound bus (approximately 15 minutes). Get off at Iizumi Kannon-mae or Iizumi-Bashi.
> Iizumi Kannon Daruma Fair
Hase Kannon Toshi no Ichi Fair : December 18 (Tues)
Location: Hasedera Temple Road, Hase, Kamakura-City
A fair selling lucky daruma dolls and bamboo rakes will be set up on the road to Hasedera Temple, evoking the scenery of old Kamakura. A “Fukuju-ichi” plant fair will also take place within the temple grounds. >From around 10:00 to 21:00.
For details, contact Hasedera Temple (Tel: 0467-22-6300)
Osame no Daishi Fair : December 21 (Fri)
Location: Kawasaki Daishi Heiken-ji Temple, Kawasaki Ward, Kawasaki-City
The final festival of the year at Kawasaki Daishi, known for warding off evil. Other exciting activities will include sutra chanting by Buddhist monks, ritual burning of talismans and amulets within the shrine precincts, and a variety of stands and booths. From around 9:30 to 15: 30.
For details, contact Kawasaki Daishi Heiken-ji Temple (Tel: 044-266-3420)
Approximately 5-minute walk from Kawasaki Daishi Station on the Keikyu-Daishi Line
> Kawasaki Daishi (Kawasaki Daishi)
Misaki Tuna Festival Big Sale
: December 28 (Fri) to December 30 (Sun)
Location: Misaki Fish Center to Asaichi Hall Misaki Fisharina Wharf “Urari,” Misaki Shinko, Miura-City/Other locations
Various types of seafood (including Misaki’s famous tuna) and processed goods, ingredients for New Year’s cuisine, local vegetables, ikebana flower arrangements, and other seasonal items will be sold at a huge discount. From around 7:00 to 16:00.
For details, contact the Misaki Tuna Processing Center (Tel: 046-882-4541)
Take the bus from Misakiguchi Station on the Keihin Kyuko Line and get off at Misaki-guchi (approximately 20 minutes)