Nara: 2-Day Omizutori Fire Ceremony at Todaiji Private Tour
ID: GYG1496464-2291413
Kategorie:
Land: Japan
Dauer:
2 Tage
Beschreibung
Every night from 1 to 14 March, monks run burning cedar torches along a temple balcony and shower the crowd below with sparks. It has not been missed since 752.
Omizutori at Todaiji in Nara is the oldest Buddhist ceremony still performed in Japan. It has been held every year since 752, without a single break, through wars, fires and plagues. That is one thousand two hundred and seventy years of consecutive attendance, and when you stand under it that number is the thing you cannot stop thinking about.
What happens is this. Each evening between 1 and 14 March, an attendant carries a burning cedar torch up to the balcony of the Nigatsudo hall and runs it along the railing, swinging it so the embers fall in a sheet onto the crowd standing below. Catching a spark is said to protect you for the year. The torches are several metres long and weigh up to forty kilos.
The rite behind it is a confession ceremony performed by eleven monks, and on the final night they draw sacred water from a well that is said to fill only once a year.
Your guide gets you into position early, which on the big nights matters a great deal, and explains what is happening while you wait.
DAY 1 Nara in the afternoon, the great hall and the deer park, then Omizutori at night.
DAY 2 Nara or Kyoto in daylight by your choice, then home.
Temple entry is included in your price.
This is a private tour. Only your group in the vehicle.
The ceremony runs rain or snow, but the viewing area is controlled by the temple and closes when full. We arrive early. If you cannot get into the viewing area because it is full or closed, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed.
Höhepunkte
- A ceremony performed every year since 752, never once missed
- Burning cedar torches run along a balcony above the crowd
- A sheet of embers falling on the people standing below
- Torches several metres long weighing up to forty kilos
- Eleven monks, fourteen nights, and water drawn once a year
Sprachen
WICHTIGE INFORMATIONEN
THE CEREMONY RUNS 1 TO 14 MARCH ONLY. The night of 12 March, with the largest torches, is by far the busiest and the hardest to see; the quieter early nights are often a better experience.
ACCOMMODATION IS NOT INCLUDED. You book your own night in Nara, Kyoto or Osaka.
EMBERS FALL ON THE CROWD. That is the event. Do not wear synthetic outer layers, tie back long hair, and put away anything you would mind a small burn on. Follow the temple staff at all times.
YOU WILL STAND AND WAIT, often for over an hour, outdoors, in March, in the cold and sometimes rain or snow. There is no seating.
The viewing area is controlled by the temple and closes when full. We arrive early. If you cannot get into the viewing area because it is full or closed, you can take a full refund of your booking, guaranteed.
Not suitable for small children or anyone who cannot stand for a long period.
Food and drinks are not included.
IM PREIS INBEGRIFFEN
- Private van and English-speaking guide for two days
- Temple entry
- An early arrival for a viewing position
- All fuel, expressway tolls and parking
- Hotel pickup and drop-off and all driver costs including the overnight
IM PREIS NICHT INBEGRIFFEN
- Hotel accommodation for the night, which you book yourself
- All food and drinks
- Other temple and museum entries
- Gratuities, which are never expected in Japan
Wann sollten Sie buchen?
Um die Verfügbarkeit zu garantieren, buchen Sie so schnell wie möglich. Eine frühzeitige Buchung ist eine Überlegung wert, insbesondere wenn Sie die Reise während der Hochsaison wie an Feiertagen oder Wochenenden planen.
Stornierungen
Diese Exkursion können Sie kostenfrei stornieren bis :Stornierungszeitpunkt Stunden vor Reisebeginn. Wenn Sie den Ausflug nach :Stornierungszeitpunkt stornieren oder nicht erscheinen, wird Ihnen der volle Preis der Aktivität in Rechnung gestellt. Eine Verspätung zur Abholung oder Abfahrt gilt als nicht erschienen.
