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Updated: November 1, 2023
Note: The 2023 installment of this event has already taken place.
Dating back 730 years, the Oeshiki ceremony marks the anniversary of the passing of Nichiren (1222-1282), the charismatic man who founded the Nichiren sect of Buddhism and eventually died at Ikegami Honmonji Temple. While Oeshiki is observed at Nichiren temples across Japan, Ikegami Honmonji's ceremony is the grandest and largest.
The highlight of the event is the mando procession in memory of Nichiren. A mando is a tall pagoda-like lantern adorned with cherry blossoms, and around 3,000 devotees carry these lanterns roughly two kilometers from Ikegami Station to the temple. Annual attendance of about 300,000 underlines just how popular this festival is. The mando procession and ringing of the memorial bell will be streamed online.
Note: The timing or content of the event may be subject to change based on the situation surrounding COVID-19.
Southern Tokyo
Haneda & Around
Please check the official event website for the latest updates on opening dates and times, prices, and other information.