Omizutori is one of the longest-running traditions if the Buddhist faith. This annual Nara festival – Omizutori takes place in Japan every March. Crowds gather beneath Nigatsudo Hall, as burning sticks light large wooden lanterns above.
This Buddist tradition has taken place for more than 1250 years and, if you’re in the Japanese city of Nara during early March, you should make plans to visit Nigatsudo Hall, in the Tadoji temple complex after sunset.
What is the idea behind Omizutori?
The Omizutori festival tradition, also known as Shunie, started over 1250 years ago and continues every 1st to 14th of March. Every night after sunset, around 7pm burning sticks are used to light large wooden lanterns filled with combustible tree branches. This sends embers and ashes below to the awaiting crowd. Being touched by this hot falling debris is thought to bring good fortune and safety for the year ahead.
Depending on what night you visit, the spectacle may be a little different. The first 12 nights, the large 6-8 meter burning sticks are taken to the Nigatsudo Hall balcony one by one. On the 14th and final night, all burning sticks are taken up at once, creating an unforgettable sight from the wooden Hall’s balcony. The final nights proceedings take around 10 minutes to complete, while many of the others run around 20 minutes long.
Nigatsudo Hall is part of the Todaji Temple complex. Around a 10 minute walk up a small hill inside this complex sees you at where the festival takes place.
Nigatsudo Hall translates to “second month hall”. Traditionally, Omizutori festival is held during the 2nd month of the lunar calendar. This roughly equates to early March on our regular calendar.
Omizutori translates to “water drawing”. Early during March 12th and 13th mornings, 130 am to 230 am, priests draw water from the well inside Nigatsudo Hall. This well is said to only flow once per year and is thought to hold restorative powers.
What should I expect from Omizutori?
As you would expect with such a popular festival, it can get busy. Very busy. After sunset, you may be stuck quite far behind a sea of the back of heads and recording devices of other visitors. If you want to get covered in ashes to ensure a safe and fruitful new year ahead, this is much too far back. You can get there early, sure, but you can also visit on the 12th day of the Nara festival.
During this 12th day of Omizutori, the crowd is funneled through the balcony of Nigatsudo Hall, so you can get nice and close to the fireballs. While most nights last around 20 minutes (other than the 14th day of 10 minutes), this 12th day usually takes around 40-45 minutes. A much slower, drawn outburn so more can experience it closer.
How to I get to Nara and Nigatsudo Hall?
Nara is a city on Japan’s Honshu Island. It’s an easily accomplished day trip from.Kyoto, or a combined day trip with the fun and interactive Iga Ueno Ninja Village – also an hour away by train.
Each of these train trips take around one hour and cost roughly 700 Yen ($6.50 USD)
As an alternative, there’s an all-inclusive Kansai Region ticket, that includes all trains and some buses in the areas surrounding Iga Uenoand Nara. This costs 2300 yen ($21 USD) so only worthwhile if you’re taking at least three trains.
Once at Nara, Nigatsudo Hall is where Omizutori takes place. This hall is in the Todaji Temple complex. From Nara JR Station, it’s a flat 15-20 minute walk and passes many of the beautiful sights of Nara. You’ll pass by Kofuji Temple and the 5 story pagoda there, as well as enter Nara park, where over 1200 wild deer roam the fields.
Note: while these deer seem pleasant, and they usually are, if they feel you are holding out food from them they can become aggressive. They are wild animals, after all.
Omizutori Highlights
- The burning of the lanterns was well worth dealing with the crowds
- The walk to Nigatsudo Hall passed many beautiful sights of Nara
- Nara Park is full of cute deer with little white tails
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Related Reading For Japan
- Check out more amazing things to do in Nara!
- Iga Ueno is a possible day trip to/from Nara or Kyoto.
- This unforgettable Buddhist Temple Stay just outside of Tokyo
Thanks for reading!
Happy and safe travels,
Ben – Horizon Unknown