Tondo Festival in Hiroshima

About 2 weeks after New year, dramatic bonfire festivals are held at shrines all across Japan. The previous year's ceremonial arrows and lucky charms are burnt and people pray for good fortune in the year to come. These festivals are known as "Tondo Matsuri". Here in Hiroshima, you can experience it at Gokoku shrine where Hiroshima castle is at.

You can hear the snap, crackle, pop of the bamboo! It's spectacular that flames rising above the rooftops. Everyone gathered in a circle around the fire to watch, snapping photos, eating grilled mochi(rice cake) grilled with the fire, and praying for good luck for the year.

 DATE & TIME: January 15th 2018 from 10am.

2016 is coming soon!

Have you made the plan for New year holidays yet?

 Another 1week to 2016!!!

There are some good spots

 for the first sunrise of New year（初日の出）in Hiroshima.

①Miyajima island  Mt. Misen 弥山

New Year's Day ropeways (cable cars) run from 5am for the sunrise.

The view from the top of Mt.Misen　(535m) is really really beautiful!

 After the sunrise,you should visit the Itsukushima Shrine too.

 ②Ogon-zan Mt.Ogon 黄金山

 Take a Bus about 20mins from Hiroshima Sta. to　「本浦」

And walk to the top about 50min.

Mt.Ogon is close from Hiroshima Station.

Wouldn't it be nice to go there 

and pray for a wish or a decision of new year. 

**********

Also,you should check out information

 about the holidays of the museums in Hiroshima.

Peace Memorial Museum is closed Dec 30th and 31st! 

Be careful !

a I am greatly looking forward to what 2015 will bring, and I hope you are too. - See more at: http://writershelpingwriters.net/2015/01/new-year-new-goals-made-plan-yet/#sthash.MAqhKhlf.dpuf

I am greatly looking forward to what 2015 will bring, and I hope you are too. - See more at: http://writershelpingwriters.net/2015/01/new-year-new-goals-made-plan-yet/#sthash.MAqhKhlf.dpuf

Have a wonderful New Year Holiday!

The Chinka-sai Fire Prevention Festival

Hi, this is Tomomi from Hiroshima Hana!

In few weeks, it will be a new year 2016!!

If you will spend the last date of this year in Hirohsima,
why don't you visit

The Chinka-sai, Fire Prevention Festival

on Miyajima island?

Local people make both large and small pine torches throughout the month of December.
On the evening of the 31st, as twilight falls, families gather at the shore near the O-torii(Grand gate).

One big torch is carried from the Shrine and all of the other torches, including individual pine torches are lit.

The larger pine troch is carried by 30-40 men on their shoulder's, while children carry smaller ones.

As the troches intensely burn the coastline become a combination of fire and water as the people run about chanting "Yoi, Yoi."

After the festival, the embers from the torches are offered to family alters as a good luck charm to prevent fire and to welcome the New Year.

 I've visited the Chinka-sai Festival for few times, it is always cool and you will get warm.:)

Date	December 31st, 18:00
Locatio	Itsukushima Shrine, Miyajima