Did you know that New Year’s Eve is also known as “Jojitsu”?
“Exclusion” means “throw away the old ones and move to the new ones”, and on December 31st, the end of the year, the old ones of the year are thrown away and the new year is celebrated.
Joya no Kane is said to be lit 108 times in order to eliminate human anxieties, but there are temples that hang 108 times or more if there are many applicants.
Basically, you can get it for free, but some famous temples distribute numbered tickets to limit the number of people.
This time, we will introduce such a famous temple and a temple in Kyoto that has a numbered ticket and an unlimited number of Joya no Kane.
Rakuhoku
Rakuto
Rakuchu
Rakusei
A temple with a Joya no Kane in Kyoto
Rakuhoku
There is no numbered ticket, no limit on the number of times, and no worship fee, but access is the biggest bottleneck because it is far from the city. Even if you can go to the site, you will not be able to come back … It may happen, so it is recommended for those who have a means of transportation such as a private car.
Kurama-dera
Kurama-dera Temple is popular for its mysterious mountains protected by tengu, and worshipers can visit it more than 108 times.
However, there is no extension of the last train of Eizan Electric Railway or overnight driving, and there is no parking lot at Kurama-dera.
Since you will have to take a taxi or use the nearby parking lot (near the Sanmon) to worship, there are many locals who say “by all means at Kurama-dera” for the Joya no Kane.
Street address:
1074 Kuramahonmachi, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 601-1111
Start time:
23: 45 ~
Access:
30 minutes walk from Eizan Electric Railway “Kurama Station”
Shorin-in
Shorin-in Temple in Ohara is also a recommended spot for those who have transportation.
Bonsho, an important cultural property, dates back to the Heian period, and you can also listen to the law.
Street address:
187 Oharashorinincho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto 601-1241
Start time:
23: 45 ~
Access:
10 minutes walk from “Ohara” on Kyoto Bus Nos. 17 and 18
Rakuto
Chion-in
Joya no Kane, known as NHK’s “Old Year, New Year,” is the tone of the Obonsho bell at Chion-in, Kyoto.
The Obonsho, which is about 3.3m high and weighs about 70t, is one of the largest in Japan. The way the bells are attached is also unique, with 17 monks holding each rope and calling out with 16 child ropes per parent rope. The acrobatic appearance of a priest with a parent rope is popular because he turns his back to the bell side and falls to the back to make a friendly hit.
You can only visit, but Chion-in’s Joya no Kane is so popular that visitors from all over the country come every year.
It is said that it is good to adjust the line-up time according to the time you want to hear the Joya no Kane, and those who want to hear the start of the Joya no Kane at 22:40 will line up from around 19:00.
If you want to hear the Joya no Kane at the same time as the date changes, we recommend that you line up around 22:30.
Please note that after 22:00, you will be gradually informed that you may not be able to enter.
Street address:
400 Rinkacho, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto 605-8686
Opening time:
20: 00 ~
Start time:
22: 40 ~
Access:
15 minutes walk from Keihan “Gion-Shijo Station”
10 minutes walk from “Higashiyama Station” on the Tozai Subway Line
* There is overnight driving
Chishakuin
Chishakuin is close to Keihan Shichijo Station, and there is Sanjusangendo in the vicinity.
There is a fire-burning memorial service from around 23:30, after which you can make a Joya no Kane.
Chishakuin will give a guard card to the person who has the bell and entertain hot drinks.
Street address:
964, Higashikawara-Cho, Shichijo-Dori, Higashi-Oji-Dori, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto 605 –0951
Start time:
23: 50 ~
Access:
From JR Kyoto Station, get off at City Bus No. 206 “Nanajo Keihan-mae” and walk for 10 minutes.
About 10 minutes on foot from Keihan Shichijo Station
* There is an all-night bus and all-night operation
Eikando
Joya no Kane is also popular at Eikando, which is famous for its autumn colors.
After the Buddhist priest’s memorial service and 108 bells are completed, the general public will participate.
It will be on a first-come, first-served basis between 0:00 and 1:00, and if there are many applicants, it can be done once by 2 to 3 people.
You can also copy the name (Namu Amida Butsu) at Amida-do.
Street address:
48 Eikando-Cho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 606-8445
Start time:
0: 00 ~
Access:
15 minutes walk from “Keage Station” on the Tozai Subway Line
* There is overnight driving
Bishamon-do
Bishamonten, one of the seven deities of good fortune in Kyoto, is also popular for visiting the seven deities of good fortune in the new year.
Joya no Kane starts around 23:45, and although there is no limit on the number of people, it is held until around 2:00 every year.
Since the fee for bells is supposed to be Shino, it is generally 300 to 600 yen, but please pay the desired amount.
Street address:
18 Anshuinariyamacho, Yamashina-Ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 607-8003
Start time:
23: 45 ~
Access:
15 minutes walk from JR / Municipal Subway “Yamashina Station”
* There is overnight driving
Rakuchu
Sokokuji Temple
Sokokuji Temple
There are two bells at Sokokuji Temple, but the one with the Joya no Kane is the Koonro. A bell is hung in a building called a bell tower, which is rare in Japan.
It is usually not open to the public, so you can only see the inside of the Hongon Tower on New Year’s Eve.
Street address:
〒602-0898 Imadegawa-dori Karasuma Higashiiri, Kamigyo-Ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Start time:
23: 30 ~
access:
From Keihan Demachiyanagi Station, get off at City Bus No. 201 “Karasuma Imadegawa” and walk for 2 minutes
2 minutes walk from “Imadegawa Station” on the Subway Karasuma Line
* There is an all-night bus and all-night operation
Rakusei
Nison-in Temple
You can also make a joya no kane at Nison-in Temple located in Arashiyama.
Joya no kane starts around 23:30 and can be lit until around 1:00.
The gate closes after 1:00, so it is recommended to visit a little earlier when visiting. In addition, there is entertainment for hot drinks at Nison-in.
Street address:
〒602-0898 Imadegawa-dori Karasuma Higashiiri, Kamigyo-Ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Start time:
23: 30 ~
Access:
15 minutes walk from “Saga Arashiyama Station” on the JR Sagano Line
* No driving all night
* There is a parking space for 10 ordinary cars
Do you need more information?
You should receive such local information of Kyoto by an application “KoI APP”.
With this application, even if you don’t have Wi-Fi, you can find nearby stores and so on.
You can install the application from the following URL.
