Buddhist fire ceremony with chanting and taiko drum experience

Highlights

• Get the rare chance to play a temple's drum while chanting with a monk
• Experience esoteric Japanese Buddhism with your hands and voice
• Feel the heat from a goma fire ceremony for your private group
• Find out why we love small local temples the most

About the experience

Step into the esoteric world of Japanese Buddhism with an immersive, hands-on visit to a charming Shingon temple with great views. After watching the dynamic mixed Yamabushi and Shingon-style Goma fire ceremony up close, you’ll move from observer to participant, beating the temple’s powerful taiko drum and joining in some shorter, easier chanting. This intimate experience is held at a temple that we visit every month for ceremonies, and we’ll be chanting right beside you as you explore this tradition.

Around the Summer months, depending on rainfall, we may also be able to offer a waterfall ritual in the afternoon at the temple, perfect for anyone who wants to physically experience more of Japanese esoteric Buddhism.

Price

¥16,000 per guest - Private group. Only run as part of a Hihumi 1.2.3. custom guided tour.

Included in experience

• Guided tour and introductions
• Maximum 5 goma wish sticks to burn in the ceremony per guest
• Tea and some snacks (generally available, served by the temple)
  

Not included in experience

• Transport unless specified
• Any other food and drink
  

Tour timing and guest numbers

Season/Days: Available all year round. Please be aware that Summer is very hot.
Times: Experience starts at 10am and runs for roughly 2 hours.
Max/min guests: Minimum 2 guests. Maximum 5 guests.

Access

The temple is located in Gamagori City, Aichi Prefecture (about 45 minutes from Nagoya by train). The temple is only accessible by car or taxi.
For 1-2 guests, private car transport can be used. For 3 or more guests, a rental car is required, or taxi (drive is roughly 15 minutes from JR Gamagori Station).

Gamagori City is located on the JR Tokaido Line, and we recommend staying in the area (for example Toyohashi) the night before.

Requirements/information

• Please bring coins
• Please wear clothes suitable for kneeling and sitting on the ground
• Please do not wear dresses, short shorts, or exposing clothing
  

Cancellation policy

See our Guided tour policies and conditions page, and note the special cancellation considerations below:

• Japan is experiencing a shortage of Buddhist monks, and in rare cases the monks at the temple may be called to perform a funeral in the area on short notice. This is very unlikely and there are some options for working around the issue, but in the case that it occurs, a full refund will be given. We appreciate your understanding on this matter.
• The “Takigyo” waterfall ritual is very dependent on rainfall, which is increasingly random and hard to predict. For this reason we do not offer this experience for all tours, and ask for your understanding if it is not possible at the time of visit. A full refund will be given in cases where the Takigyo is planned but cannot be carried out due to insufficient rainfall.