Joya-e and Shusho-e at Komyoji Temple (光明寺 除夜会・修正会)

What Are the Joya-e and Shusho-e at Komyoji Temple?

Komyoji Temple (光明寺) in Zaimokuza (材木座) is a head temple of the Jodo (Pure Land) school of Buddhism. Every year on the night of December 31 it holds the Joya-e (除夜会), and at 0:00 on January 1 it holds the Shusho-e (修正会). The Joya-e is the service that closes the year, and the New Year’s Eve bell is rung at the Shorodo (鐘楼堂) bell tower at the same time. The sound of the bell is said to drive away the worldly desires of the past year, and people pray for good health in the year ahead. The Shusho-e is the first service of the New Year, praying for world peace and the happiness of all people and giving thanks to the principal Buddha for the safe arrival of the New Year. At the same time, 0:00, the year’s first visit to Wakaejima Benzaiten (和賀江島弁財天) also takes place.

Date and Time

Anyone can ring the New Year’s Eve bell, and in a typical year numbered tickets are handed out from 22:30. The Joya-e usually starts at 23:20 and the Shusho-e at 0:00 on New Year’s Day. Public bell ringing usually begins at around 0:00 on January 1 and continues until the line ends. The Daiden (大殿), the main hall, is under conservation repair and closed inside, so both services are held in the Kaisando (開山堂) hall, which serves as the temporary main hall.

Highlights: Ringing the Bell in Grounds Lit by Bonfires

A line of people holding numbered tickets forms in front of the Shorodo, and bonfires burn in the temple grounds. The first strike and the 108th strike are made by the temple. Visitors ring the bell three or four at a time for each strike, and those who come alone or in pairs may be moved up or back in the order. Even after the 108th strike, everyone in line can ring the bell in turn.

Visiting Tips

You will wait outdoors on a cold night, so dress warmly. In a typical year, traffic restrictions are in place around Kamakura Station (鎌倉駅) from 23:00 on December 31 to 17:00 on January 1, so it is best to come by train and bus. Check how you will get back late at night before you go.

On the same New Year’s Eve, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (鶴岡八幡宮) holds the Year-End Oharae and Koshinsatsu Shonosai, and Hasedera Temple (長谷寺) holds the Manto Kigan-e New Year’s Eve Candle Prayer.

Access: Visiting During Your Stay at Toshi’s Place

From the East Exit of JR Kamakura Station, take a Keikyu bus bound for Zushi Station via Kotsubo (小坪) for about 10 minutes and get off at the “Komyoji (光明寺)” stop. The temple is right there. If you are staying at Toshi’s Place, fully unstaffed smart hotels with full kitchens and no meals provided, take the Enoden (江ノ電) from Hase Station (長谷駅) or Wadazuka Station (和田塚駅) to Kamakura Station and change to the bus.

Summary

On New Year’s Eve at Komyoji, you can ring the bell in grounds lit by bonfires and welcome the New Year at the Shusho-e at midnight. Every year on November 18, the temple also holds the Akihasan Sanjakubo Daigongen Reitaisai (秋葉山三尺坊大権現例大祭) on Mt. Akiha behind the temple. For the temple’s history and highlights, see Komyoji Temple.

Basic Information

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