Your First Goma Ritual: From Reservation to the Day of Your Visit

At Jigenji, the Goma fire ritual is performed on the third Sunday of every month at 1:00 p.m. by the head priest, Daiajari Ryojun Shionuma, followed by a dharma talk. For those attending for the first time, here is a guide from making a reservation to what happens on the day.

1. Reserve a seat in the Goma Hall

Seats inside the Goma Hall (165 seats) require an advance online reservation. Reservations open at 10:00 a.m. on the 1st of each month on the Goma page.

・Up to 2 people per reservation (only 1 when a single seat remains).

・Reservations close once all seats are filled. If cancellations occur, additional seats are released on the reservation page.

・Seats cannot be chosen. Seating is not first-come, first-served; it is decided in advance by lottery at the temple.

・Please be sure to reserve under the name of the person who will attend. Anyone attending on someone else's behalf will be guided to the monitor seats in the Main Hall.

・For those with asthma or other respiratory conditions, corridor seats by the windows, away from the Goma altar, can be arranged. Please check the request box when reserving.

・Applications from travel agencies or tours are not accepted for the monthly Goma ritual on the third Sunday.

2. Receive your confirmation email

Once your reservation is complete, a confirmation email will be sent to your registered address. Please do not call to confirm reservations. If you use a spam filter, please make sure you can receive emails from "@wixevents.com".

3. If you can no longer attend, please cancel

Cancellations are accepted by phone only (+81-22-399-5333, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.). Last-minute cancellations, no-shows, or repeated cancellations may result in future reservations being declined. If we do not hear from you about lateness or absence by 12:30 p.m. on the day, your reservation will be treated as cancelled.

4. Check in at the temple office on the day (9:00 a.m.–noon)

On the day, please check in between 9:00 a.m. and noon at the temple office (fudasho) to the right of the Main Hall. Give the name on your reservation and be sure to show photo ID (driver's license, My Number card, passport, etc.). You will receive your seat ticket at check-in.

Applications for gomagi (prayer sticks) and the Special Prayer are accepted until 12:30 p.m. on the day. Later applications will be prayed for at the following month's Goma ritual. (For the Special Prayer, see the Annual Events page.)

5. Gather in front of the Main Hall by 12:40 p.m.

After receiving your seat ticket, please gather in front of the Main Hall by 12:40 p.m. The Goma ritual begins at 1:00 p.m., followed by a dharma talk. The hall fills with smoke during the ritual.

*Please do not attend from anywhere other than your designated place. No commemorative photos are planned after the talk.

You can attend without a reservation

Visitors without a reservation can also attend on the day from the monitor seats in the Main Hall. Numbered tickets for same-day seats are handed out from 9:00 a.m. From spring to autumn, tent seating may be set up in front of the Goma Hall depending on the weather. Please ask the staff at the temple office for details.

Seating is limited. Please do not line up late at night or early in the morning before the parking lot opens. Lines of cars on the prefectural road or sidewalk block other traffic.

The Goma ritual is also streamed live on YouTube for those who live far away.

For directions to Jigenji, please see the Access page.