Okera Mairi: Old Year’s Eve at Yasaka-jinja Shrine

Last Updated on December 12, 2024

What to expect at Okera Mairi: Old Year’s Eve at Yasaka-jinja Shrine 

At Yasaka-jinja Shrine the New Year’s Eve Festival is held at the main shrine from 19:00 on the 31st December, after which the priests light lanterns set up in the shrine grounds one by one with a purification fire.

Pieces of Okera tree are burned in the lanterns as he dried roots of the tree give off a strong smell when burned, which is said to ward off evil spirits.

Okera sticks which hold worshippers prayers for good health and safety for the year are also burned.

Worshippers transfer the Okera fire to a fire rope and take it home with them so that the flame does not go out, where the flame can then be used to light kindling to cook the New Year’s zoni or light a lamp for the homes Shinto altar and pray for good health and safety for the year.

The rope used to carry the Okera fire is often displayed in the kitchen as a talisman to prevent fires.

When will Okera Mairi: Old Year’s Eve at Yasaka-jinja Shrine take place?

Okera Mairi: Old Year’s Eve at Yasaka-jinja Shrine will take place on the 31st December 2024 to the 1st January 2025.

The event takes place between 19:30 and 05:00.

How much does Okera Mairi: Old Year’s Eve at Yasaka-jinja Shrine cost?

Okera Mairi: Old Year’s Eve at Yasaka-jinja Shrine is free to attend.

How do I get to Okera Mairi: Old Year’s Eve at Yasaka-jinja Shrine?

Nearest Station: Okera Mairi is best accessed from Gion-Shijō Station using the Keihan Main Line.

You can also access the event from Higashiyama Station using the Tōzai Line.

Alternatively, you can access Yasaka-jinja Shrine from Sanjō Keihan Station using the Tōzai Line.