Tatsunokuchi Bamboo Lanterns

What is Tatsunokuchi Bamboo Lanterns?

Tatsunokuchi Bamboo Lanterns (龍の口竹灯籠) is an autumn evening event held every year at Ryukoji Temple (龍口寺) in Katase (片瀬), Fujisawa (藤沢). About 3,000 bamboo lanterns line the grounds, and their candlelight illuminates the temple buildings after dark. Ryukoji Temple is a Nichiren-shu temple built on the site of the Tatsunokuchi Persecution (龍ノ口法難), where the monk Nichiren (日蓮) was nearly executed. The event is organized by the Tatsunokuchi Bamboo Lantern Executive Committee, whose office is at the temple, with the support of Fujisawa City and the Fujisawa City Tourist Association.

Dates, Hours and Admission

The event is usually held on two days between late October and mid-November, from 17:00 to 20:00. Viewing is usually free, and no reservation is needed.

Highlights | A Night Walk Through the Lantern-Lit Grounds

Past the Niomon Gate (仁王門), bamboo lanterns line both sides of the approach, and more are placed on the stone steps leading up to the main hall. The grounds follow a one-way route: Niomon Gate, Sanmon Gate (山門), Daihondo Main Hall (大本堂), Shorodo Bell Tower (鐘楼堂) and Daishoin Hall (大書院). In front of the Daihondo Main Hall, a segaki-dan (施餓鬼壇), an altar for memorial offerings, is set up for memorial services for ancestors and the deceased and for prayers.

Lantern Memorial Offering

Anyone can make a lantern offering. Each lantern costs 1,000 yen as a prayer fee. You fill in a form choosing either a memorial service or a prayer, and receive a sange (散華), a paper petal given as a keepsake. On the event days, offerings are accepted at the main hall from 10:00 to 16:00 and beside the Niomon Gate after 16:00. According to visitors’ accounts, you attach a slip with your name and wish to the bamboo lantern you receive and place it in the designated area in front of the Daihondo Main Hall.

Visiting Tips

During the event, the Five-Story Pagoda (五重塔) and Shichimendo Hall (七面堂) are closed to visitors. Tripods and monopods may be used beside the Sanmon Gate. Pets are allowed if carried in your arms or in a carrier. The path to the main hall includes stone steps, so watch your step. The temple parking lot is reserved for worshippers and temple members, so we recommend coming by train.

Access | Visiting During Your Stay at Toshi’s Place

It is a 3-minute walk from Enoshima Station (江ノ島駅) on the Enoden Line and from Shonan-Enoshima Station (湘南江の島駅) on the Shonan Monorail, and a 12-minute walk from Katase-Enoshima Station (片瀬江ノ島駅) on the Odakyu Line. If you stay at Toshi’s Place, a room-only, fully unmanned smart hotel with a full kitchen, you can ride the Enoden directly from Hase (長谷) or Wadazuka (和田塚) to Enoshima Station without changing trains.

Summary

Tatsunokuchi Bamboo Lanterns is an autumn evening when you walk through the grounds of Ryukoji Temple by the light of about 3,000 bamboo lanterns. For the temple’s other highlights, including the pagoda and the history of the Tatsunokuchi Persecution, see Ryukoji Temple.

Basic Information

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