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🏮 Dojoji Sho Kuyo Eshiki

道成寺鐘供養会式

Hidakagawa, Wakayama (Dojoji Temple) · Every year on 27 April

Bon odoriTraditional performing artsFloats

225 days to go
Rooms around Hidakagawa, Wakayama fill up while the festival is on.

The Dojoji Kanshiki (Bell Memorial Ceremony), held every year on April 27 at Dojoji Temple in Hidakagawa, Wakayama Prefecture, originates from the tragic love story of Anchin and Kiyohime. It takes place at Dojoji Temple, the oldest temple in Wakayama Prefecture, founded in 701 by Emperor Monmu, and continues as a memorial service for Anchin, who was burned to death along with the bell. The highlight is a dedication event called the Janjaka Odori, which reenacts the scene of Kiyohime transforming into a giant serpent and chasing Anchin. A giant serpent about 21 meters long, carried by roughly 60 people including local junior high school students, parades about 1.5 km from the bank of the Hidaka River to the temple grounds, then dashes up the 62 stone steps in one go. At the entrance to the temple grounds, many photographers wait to capture the spectacle, and a powerful performance unfolds.

Getting there

About 5 minutes on foot from Dojoji Station on the Kinokuni Line. By car, about 10 minutes from Gobo IC on the Yuasa-Gobo Road. Parking available (former Taisei Junior High School grounds).