Celebrate the New Year in Kyoto: 3 Temples to Watch the Bell-Ringing Ceremony

2024年12月26日

Why not welcome the start of the new year at a traditional Kyoto temple?

We introduce Kyoto temples where you can experience and watch the New Year’s Eve bell ringing from New Year’s Eve 2024 to New Year’s Day 2025, including temples famous for New Year’s Eve TV broadcasts!

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Chion-in (Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City)

Chion-in is often featured in New Year’s Eve TV broadcasts and is one of the most famous spots for New Year’s Eve bell ringing in Kyoto.

Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Start time: From around 10:40 PM
How to participate: General public can only watch *Bell ringing experience not available
Feature: The sight of 17 monks ringing Japan’s largest temple bell is impressive!
Details here

On Friday, December 27th, from 2:00 PM, there will be a trial ringing by monks, which can also be watched for free.

The scene of using the whole body to ring the great bell (Source: Official website)

Kodai-ji (Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City)

This temple was built by Nene, the lawful wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to pray for Hideyoshi’s soul.

Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Start time: From around 11:45 PM
How to participate: Tickets distributed from around 10:00 PM (first 108 groups)
Feature: The general public can actually ring the bell! It’s popular every year, so come early if you want to experience it.
Details here

Byodoin (Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture)

You can also experience the actual New Year’s Eve bell ringing at Byodoin, which is registered as a World Cultural Heritage site.

Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Time: Around 11:30 PM to 1:30 AM
How to participate: After reception at [South Gate], bell ringing is done in groups of 5-6 people per strike.
Feature: The first 1,000 visitors will receive a special ema (votive tablet) for the Year of the Snake, praying for good fortune. (While supplies last)
Details here