Tarobogu Shrine Bonfire Festival 太郎坊宮お火焚大祭
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Tarobogu Shrine on this mountain holds a bonfire festival on the first Sunday in December. Near Tarobogu-mae Station on Ohmi Railways Line from Omi-Hachiman or Yokaichi Stations.
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The first torii is near the train station.
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On the day of the bonfire festival, they have shuttle buses going between the train station and Tarobogu Shrine. Highly recommend taking the bus.
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If you don't take the bus, it's 700 steps up from here.
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Get off the bus and here we are. A large clearing (shrine's parking lot) surrounded by a large crowd.
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Pile to be burned for the bonfire.
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Lighting the pile.
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The bonfire is used to burn about 100,000 goma prayer tablets collected from all over Japan. Tarobogu Shrine, Higashi-Omi, Shiga.
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The fire's spiritual force supposed to ward off evil, accidents, and sickness and cleanse you. Tarobogu Shrine, Higashi-Omi, Shiga.
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Kind of unique festival because it combines Shinto and Buddhist practices.
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The smoke can get very thick. People with a lung condition or clothing sensitive to smoke should not see this.
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Fanning the fire.
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Mountain ascetic priests chanting.
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Mountain ascetic priests chanting.
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Mountain ascetic priests chanting.
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Priests throw wooden goma prayer tablets (written with people's wishes) into the fire.
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Priests throw wooden goma prayer tablets (written with people's wishes) into the fire.
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Priests throw wooden goma prayer tablets (written with people's wishes) into the fire.
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Priests throw wooden goma prayer tablets (written with people's wishes) into the fire. Tarobogu Shrine, Higashi-Omi, Shiga.
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After the smoke is gone...
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Toward the end, there is fire-walking on the hot embers. 火渡り
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Toward the end, there is fire-walking on the hot embers.
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Prayer before the fire walk.
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I did it as well, wasn't so hot.
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Cool your feet in salt.
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The hardest part of the fire walk was putting your shoes back on. No benches to sit on.
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Sacred staff for the fire walk.
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Fire walk pit still smoking.
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Glad to take the shuttle bus back to the trasin station.
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