The Ritual of Walking on Fire



Every year Okuyama Houkouji temple held a Firewalking festival. This year, two other iNHama staff and I attended the fire festival, and we even try firewalking barefoot.


It is a festival in Hamamatsu City that prays for family safety, disease-free breathing, fire prevention, and elimination of troubles.
After the monk's prayer, a Shinto ritual is held by the performer.
After submerging the fire of Homa, which is spread over about 5m, a firewalking ceremony is held with the performers at the head, and the general public can also do firewalking.


It is said that by walking on the fire, you will burn away the sins you are committing without knowing it, and you will be cleansed both physically and mentally and will receive benefits.

Access by bus from Hamamatsu Station
Take the "Shiyakusho-Okuyama"line bus (60 minutes ride) at bus stop #15 of the bus terminal to "Okuyama" then walk is about 8 minutes from Shin-Tomei Inasa I.C. and about 30 minutes from Tomei Hamamatsu Nishi I.C.

As a safety measure, a firetruck standby at the temple. Later on, the firemen also do the firewalking ritual. 


For more info about Okuyama Houkouji temple, please visit iNHamamatsu website Okuyama Houkouji temple .





 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Visit to the Sakura Tunnel in Fukuroi City

Image
Last year I visited Sakura tunnel in Fukuroi City in Shizuoka Prefecture, and I want to share my experience at the Sakura Tunnel. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, especially during the cherry blossom season. Walking through the Sakura Tunnel was like a dream. The cherry blossom trees were in full bloom, and the pink petals created a magical tunnel. It felt like I was in a fairy tale. The flowers were so delicate and beautiful, and I couldn't stop taking pictures. I learned that the best time to visit the Sakura Tunnel is from late March to early April. This is when the cherry blossoms are at their peak. The exact timing can change every year, so it's good to check the local forecast before planning your trip. There are many things to do in Fukuroi City besides visiting the Sakura Tunnel: Picnicking: I brought a blanket and had a picnic under the cherry blossoms. It was so peaceful and relaxing with the petals falling around me. Photography: I took many ...
Read more

Watching the Fukuroi Fireworks Festival

Image
  As the sun set, I headed to the Fukuroi Fireworks Festival. This event in Shizuoka is famous for its amazing fireworks and lively atmosphere. This year, I wanted to see it for myself. I took the train from Hamamatsu Station to Fukuroi Station. The festival venue, Haranoyagawa Shinsui Park, was a 20-minute walk from the station. Arriving early is crucial because the streets get crowded quickly.  When I arrived, the place was buzzing with excitement. Families, couples, and friends were everywhere, setting up their picnic blankets. The smell of street food like takoyaki, yakisoba, and grilled corn filled the air. I grabbed some snacks to enjoy while waiting for the show. As it got darker, everyone grew more excited. The organizers promised a great show this year. I found a good spot near the river, where I could see everything clearly. The sound of the river added a calm feeling to the lively crowd. Finally, the first firework shot up and exploded in the sky. The crowd cheered ...
Read more

Evangelion at Hamamatsu City Hall?! Only in Japan!

Image
If you’re a fan of Neon Genesis Evangelion (or just love cool anime surprises), there’s a hidden gem waiting for you in the middle of Hamamatsu—a city not far from Mount Fuji and well worth a visit. At first glance, Hamamatsu City Hall looks like any other government building. People go there to pay bills, file paperwork, or ask about local services. But step inside the lobby, and you’ll find something totally unexpected… Meet EVA Unit-01… in a government building?! That’s right. Right in the city hall lobby, you’ll see a glowing-eyed display of EVA Unit-01, plus life-sized plug suits, posters, and artwork from the world of Evangelion. It’s like a mini pop-up museum, but inside a building where people usually go to do serious stuff. Even if you’re not a hardcore fan, it’s a fun and weird experience—one of those “Only in Japan” moments where anime culture suddenly appears in everyday life. What Can You See? • A head-and-shoulders model of EVA Unit-01, complete with glowing eyes • ...
Read more