🏮 Saga no Omidaki

嵯峨の御松明

Kyoto (Seiryoji Temple) · Every year on 15 March

Traditional performing arts

182 days to go
Rooms around Kyoto fill up while the festival is on.

At Shoryoji Temple (Saga Shakado) in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, the "Nehan-e and Saga Omatsuri-shiki" is held every year on March 15. Commonly known as "Saga no Omatsuri," this event combines the Buddhist Nehan-e memorial service with a Shinto-like rite of burning torches. The rite originates in an old belief in divining the abundance or poor harvest of rice by how the torch burns. A torch is set up in the plaza in front of the main hall and lit, and the tradition of divining the year's agricultural fortunes from the force and manner of its flames is still carried on today. On the day, a dedication of "Saga Dainenbutsu Kyogen" takes place from 15:30, and after the Nehan-e service (from 19:00), the Omatsuri rite is performed from around 20:00. On that day, admission to the main hall is specially free, and visitors can worship on a spring night in Saga filled with fire and prayer.

Getting there

Get off at the City Bus/Kyoto Bus stop "Saga Shakado-mae," then walk 2 minutes. About 15–20 minutes on foot from JR Sagano Line "Saga-Arashiyama" Station, Randen Arashiyama Line "Arashiyama" Station, and Hankyu Arashiyama Line "Arashiyama" Station. Parking available (paid).