January

1: Okera-mairi (Yasaka Shrine) --- It is traditional to visit this shrine to obtain the sacred flame of Okera, a medicinal herb. The lighted roots of the terb are carried back home where fires are lit on which the first meal of the New Year is cooked. The herb is used to cleanse the evil forces and energies of the previous year.

1: Hatsu-mode/The first shrine visit of the New Year (All shrines)
(Photo=Heian Jingu Shrine)

1~3: Obuku-cha/Green Tea Service (Rokuharamitsu-ji Shrine)

2~4: Shinnen Kakizome/New Year's Calligraphy Ceremony (Kitano Tenmangu Shrine)

8: Shofuku-sai/Festival of Happiness (All Ebisu shrines) --- A part of the festival called "Toka Ebisu." Ebisu is one of the seven gods of good fortune.
(Photo=Ebisu Shrine, located in Yasaka Shrine of Gion)

8~11: Toka Ebisu/Merchants' Festival, for praying for the prosperity of business (All Ebisu shrines)

9: Yoi Ebisu/Ebisu Eve (All Ebisu shrines) --- Traditional dance is performed throughout the evening.

10: Hon Ebisu/Main Festival of Ebisu (All Ebisu shrines)

11: Nokori Ebisu/Remaining Ebisu (All Ebisu shrines)

8~12: Kanchu Takuhatsu (Shogo-in Temple) --- Takuhatsu is a traditional form of alms, common to Buddhist monks in Japan. 100 monks start on their first Takuhatsu walk of the year.


9~16: Ho-onko/Religious Observances (Nishi Honganji Temple)

11: Shobo Dezome Shiki/New Year's Parade of Fire Brigades (Okazaki Park) --- It features acrobatic performances by firemen.


Second Monday: Seijin-no-hi/Coming of Age Day Celebration --- People who turn 20 years old in this year are celebrated.

15: Toshiya/Archery Contest (Sanju Sangen Do)


21: Hatsu-Kobo/First Service of the Year (Toji Temple)

25: Tenjin Matsuri Festival (Kitano Tenmangu Shrine)