Feb. 22, 2018 UPDATE
Godai-Rikison Ninno-e festival (Godairiki san)
- 五大力尊仁王会 -Traveler Friendly
You can join the mochi lifting event ! Since It has a simple rule, please join it
Information
Japanese only
Languages spoken
Japanese only
PeriodFebruary 23rd, every year
VenueDaigoji temple
Story & Recommendation
Unique festival to lift up huge mochi cakes for your good health
Godairikison ninno’e takes place on February 23th every year, and the largest event in Daigoji temple. It is well known as a rice cake lifting event to pray for this year’s health and happiness. Usually Godairikison ninno’e is called Godairikisan by local people as a friendly nickname of this event. It has been continued since 874(when Daigoji temple was founded). That’s why Godairikisan is a really traditional event which has over 1000 years of history. The meaning of Godairiki is Godai Myo’o (5 guardian kings) which includes Fudo Myo’o (the wisdom king) and Godairiki is considered to protect you from any accidents which may occur on yourself. Every year a lot of visitors are coming and praying for their good health.
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1Highlight
Mochi age (rice cake lifting)
Visitors are trying to lift up the big rice cake to reward the power of Godai Myo’o. The weight of rice cake for women is 198 lb, and the rice cake for men is 330 lb. They are competing the time for lifting. If you would like to participate in the rice cake lifting, a registration is required in advance, during 9am – 11:30am on the event day. Entry fee is 2,000 yen.
2Highlight
Pre-event ceremony
A pre-event ceremony is held from February 15th to 21th by more than 1000 monks from all the mountains in Daigoji temple. Visitors can participate in the ceremony free of charge. Around 100 visitors can participate in the ceremony at once, and after the ceremony, a rice porridge is served to visitors. You may see the impassioned ritual in the ceremony. The ceremony schedule is introduced in 'note' of the summary on this website.
3Let's join!
Miei
Miei which is known as an avatar of Godairiki protects you from accidents anytime, anywhere regardless of day or night. (Miei means shadow in Japanese.) Miei is prayed by monks during the pre-ceremony, and given to visitors on the event day only. People deeply believe Miei and visit Daigoji temple from early morning on the event day in order to get Miei.
