Kanagawa This Month - Latest Kanagawa Tourist Information
december 2009
Akibasan Hibuse Festival: December 6 (Sun)
Location: Akibasan Ryougaku-in Temple Precincts, Itabashi, Odawara-City
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. Then from 15:00, the yamabushi will hold a ceremony called “hashiramoto shichijuugo zenjinku” where they make mochi (sweet rice cakes) for the seventy-five gods that are said to live in the mountains. In the evening, a sacred fire ritual will take place at the main shrine. Also from the evening, there will be a yamabushi procession, entering the altar, yamabushi question-and-answer session, purification, axe ritual, sword ritual, arrow ritual, fire dance, and fire walking. Finally, mochi will be tossed to visitors.
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. The temple is a 7-minute walk from the station.
> Mt. Akiba Gongen Hibuse Festival
Gochinza Kinensai Festival: December 16 (Wed)
Location: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, Yukinoshita, Kamakura-City
A sacred Shinto ritual will be performed at the main shrine, then a bonfire will be lit in front of the "Maiden" stage. Solemn performances of “Miyabito-no-mai" dance by maiko (Shinto priestesses) and "Nincho-no-mai" dance by Shinto priests will then be held. From 17:00 to 18:30.
For details, contact Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (Tel: 0467-22-0315)
10-minute walk from Kamakura Station on the JR Yokosuka Line
> Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine
> Gochinza-KinennSai
http://www.hachimangu.or.jp (Japanese)
Iizumi Kannon Daruma Doll Fair:
December 17 (Thurs) to December 18 (Fri)
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 Temple (Tel: 0465-47-3413)
From the East Exit of Odawara Station, take the Shin-Matsuda Station-bound or Shimosoga Station-bound bus (15 minutes). Get off at Iizumi Kannon-mae or Iizumi-Bashi.
> Iizumi Kannon Daruma Fair
Hase Kannon Toshi no Ichi Fair: December 18 (Fri)
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 Hasedera Temple grounds. From 10:00 to 21:00.
For details, contact Hasedera Temple (Tel: 0467-22-6300)
Osame no Daishi Fair: December 21 (Mon)
Location: Kawasaki Daishi Heiken-ji Temple, Kawasaki-Ward, Kawasaki-City
The final festival of the year at Kawasaki Daishi, known for warding off evil. 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.
For details, contact Kawasaki Daishi Heiken-ji Temple (Tel: 044-266-3420)
Misaki Tuna Festival Big Sale :
December 28 (Mon) to December 30 (Wed)
Location: Misaki Shinko, Misaki Fish Center - Asaichi Hall - Misaki Fisharina Wharf “Urari,” 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 this annual year-end sale.
From around 8:00 to 16:00.
From around 8:00 to 16:00.
For details, contact the Misaki Tuna Processing Center (Tel: 046-882-4541) or the Misaki Asaichi Association (Tel: 046-881-4488)
Take the bus from Misakiguchi Station on the Keihin Kyuko Line and get off at Misakiko (approximately 20 minutes)