Uesaku Festival in Mt. Kurama

We will meet up at Kurama 鞍馬 station (Eizan line 叡山電鉄) in front of the Tengu ( see the photo!) at 4pm.

These are some advice.

Wear warm cloths and bring a winter jacket. It gets very cold at night in the mountain.

Check weather forecast and if there is a chance of rain, bring a rain coat. It also helps to make you feel warm.

You need to bring a sheet to save your space to sleep.

A sleeping bag and a small cushion to sit on during the ceremony are helpful.

Bring something to eat! There is no stores you can buy food in the mountain.

Bring a small bottle. They provide holy water.

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Every year on the full moon day in May, Kurama Temple hosts the spiritually-charged Uesaku Festival from early in the evening until dawn of the next day, dedicated to the Buddhist protector deity, Bishamonten. This festival, the only Himalayan-style full moon event in Japan, is highly recommended.

The festival contains following three ceremonies.
1. First Part Purification (KIYOME) 19:00
2. Second Part Encouragement (HAGEMI) 22:00
3. Third Part Awaking (MEZAME) 3:00 (next morning)

The Uesaku Festival 2009 will be held on the 9th of May (Saturday).
Since it is taking place on weekend this year, there would be more people attending than usual.
People (especially Reiki people) gather from everywhere in Japan for this festival.
I think we should be there around 4pm to save a space to sleep first of all if you are willing to experience the entire ceremony. (Kurama Temple offers us some space to rest. You can sleep outside as well.)
Or you can attend just first part and take a train to go home. It’s up to you.

Please start planning to join us if you would like to be a witness of this special moment in Mt. Kurama. It is absolutory amazing!