OKERAMAIRI

This ritual festival illuminates the last night of the year in Kyoto. On New Year's Eve, the Yasaka-jinja, the big temple in the Gion district in the center of the city, opens its doors to the faithful who come to burn medicinal plants in order to cure the bad energies of the past year. Afterwards, the embers of the fire are brought back home to be placed on the family altar to ensure a peaceful, lucky and healthy year, but also to keep away negative waves. This lively event is very pleasant to follow.