EVENT
SCHEDULE
1Jan
- January 1–3: Hatsumode
- (first temple visit of the New Year in prayer for good fortune in the coming year)
- January 18
- First Kannon prayer and tea ceremony of the New Year
2Feb
- February 1: Setsubun celebration
- (prayers to bring good fortune and drive away evil; roasted beans are thrown by people born in current zodiac year)
- February 15: Parinirvana Day / Nirvana Day
- (day commemorating Shakyamuni’s physical death and achievement of Nirvana)
3Mar
- March: Spring Higan equinox celebration
- (memorial rite for ancestors and stillborn children)
4Apr
- April 8
- Buddha’s Birthday
5May
- May 18: Kannon Festival
- (important service for deceased persons that have a connection with Buddha)
6Jun
- Specified auspicious day in June
- Lighting of prayer lanterns using candles
7Jul
- Early July: Obon Sejiki-e service
- (memorial service for spirits who are unconnected to any living person, and also for ancestors and stillborn children)
- July 10: “46,000 days” celebration
- (persons who visit to pray on this day receive a blessing equivalent to that of 46,000 visits)
8Aug
9Sep
- September: Autumn Higan equinox celebration
- (memorial rite for ancestors and stillborn children)
- Autumn
- Votive lantern offerings and Great East Japan Earthquake restoration-related event
10Oct
11Nov
- November 15: Shichi-Go-San
- (celebration in prayer for growth and good health of children age three, five and seven), and prayers for good fortune and expulsion of evil
12Des
- December 1: December Kannon celebration
- (mochi rice cake making festival)
- December 8: Bodhi Day
- (celebration marking day of Shakyamuni’s attainment of enlightenment)
- December 18
- Last Kannon prayer and tea ceremony of the year
- December 31
- Ringing of the temple bell in farewell to the old year