DISCOVER FUKUI

 The "Water Sending Ceremony," a ritual announcing spring in Wakasa held annually on March 2nd.

On March 2, the Omizu-Okuri (lit. “water-sending”) ritual is held at Jinguji Temple, Obama City (Fukui). The event begins at 11:00 a.m., with religious rites to prepare. The Omizu-Okuri ritual itself starts at 6:00 p.m., and includes a solemn nighttime procession, lit by a large pinewood torch carried by monks from the temple. After purifying the water drawn from the "Agai" well at Jinguji Temple through various rituals, it is transported under the protection of a torch procession to the riverbank called "Unose," located about 2 km from Jinguji Temple. 

The torch procession stretching over approximately 2 km is truly spectacular. Leading the way is a large torch, followed by hundreds of others, painting a fantastical scene in the darkness of the winter night. Once the procession reaches Unose, a ceremony is performed by monks dressed in white, to bless okozui “sacred water” that is then sent along the Onyu River.

After this ritual, the okozui is believed to flow south to Todaiji Temple in Nara. It is received there during the Omizu-Tori (lit. “water-drawing”) ritual ten days later, marking the arrival of spring. This historical event that speaks to the deep connection between Nara and Wakasa since ancient times. When Nara's Omizu-Tori concludes, spring arrives. People in the Kansai region of Kyoto, Osaka and Nara eagerly await this annual sign of spring. 

Visitors are welcome to watch the riverside ceremony, and can even join the torch-lit procession.

[How to Apply to Participate]

By dedicating (purchasing) a medium torch or handheld torch, you can participate in the torch procession.

Donations require reservations. For the large torch, contact Wakasa Jinguji Temple. For the handheld torch, reservations are accepted at the Wakasa Obama Tourist Information Center.

● For Hand Torches

Please call the Wakasa Obama Tourist Information Center.
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Provide your name, phone number, address, and the number of hand torches. The
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hand torch offering fee (¥2,500 per torch) is accepted in cash only on the day of the event.

● For Naka-taimatsu (Large Torches)

Please call Jinguji Temple.

[Wakasa Obama Tourist Information Center]

Phone: 0770-52-3844

[Jinguji Temple]

Phone Number: 0770-56-1911