Here we will introduce temples in Kyoto where you can ring the New Year’s Eve bell.
Please note that each temple varies, such as some requiring advance registration, some with limits on the number of participants on a first-come-first-served basis, and some with no restrictions.
Some information are for 2022 or earlier. Please check the official website of each temple before visiting.
The operating status of transportation
The first thing to be concerned about is the operating status of transportation such as trains and buses on New Year’s Eve.
Some transportation services operate all night from New Year’s Eve around 5 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
Trains will operate on a temporary schedule from approximately 0:00 to 5:00 on January 1st.
Until the temporary schedule, the bus will operate on weekdays or holiday schedules.
Kyoto city subway / city bus: https://www.city.kyoto.lg.jp/kotsu/
Keihan railway: https://www.keihan.co.jp/travel/en/
Hankyu railway: https://www.hankyu.co.jp/
JR west: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/
The temples that require prior numbered ticket acquisition/pre-registration
First of all, I would like to introduce the temples that require prior numbered ticket acquisition/pre-registration.
Kiyomizu-dera and Chion-in hold various events throughout the year, making them popular temples.
Please check the details of the event carefully before attending.
1. Kiyomizu-dera
Located at the top of Kiyomizu-zaka, it is one of the best temples in Kyoto and popular through a year.
At Kiyomizu-dera Temple, you can hit the bell but numbered tickets will be distributed to the office on a first-come, first-served basis from 9am on December 25th, so you will actually need to go to the office of the Kiyomizu-dera once on the 25th. One person can get one numbered ticket.
*For image photos, please refer to the URL below.
※No images. Please go to the website below to have some image of this event.
Event / Access information
Numbered tickets：Distribute them on a first-come, first-served basis from 9:00 am on December 25
Event start：From 23:30pm
Closest bus stop：Gojo-zaka and 10 minutes on foot
OWebsite:Website：Joya, Bell-hitting experience (Japanese Only)
2. Chion-in
Chion-in Temple is particularly popular among temples in Kyoto that hold New Year’s Eve events because their bell is so large, and 17 monks ring the bell at the same time.
Guests are not allowed to join ringing the bell, but it is still worth just watching the even so close the them, and it is very dynamic.
※Please note that you need to apply in advance from the web page within the designated period for the tour.
Event / Access information
Numbered tickets：No tickets will be distributed, but pre-registration required
Event start：From 22:20pm
Closest bus stop：Chion-in Mae
Official website：https://www.chion-in.or.jp/en/
The temples where numbered tickets are distributed just before the New Year’s bell rings event
From here, we will introduce temples where numbered tickets are distributed just before the New Year’s bell rings event, or where on a first-come, first-served basis without any numbered tickets.
☆Higashiyama are☆
１．Koudai-ji temple
The gate will be opened from 22:00 for those who want to ring the bell, and the tickets will be distributed to 108 groups in total with one or multiple people for each group.
Event / Access information
Numbered tickets：Numbered tickets are distributed after 22pm.
Event start：From 23:45pm
Closest bus stop：Higashiyama-yasui and 5 minutes on foot
Official website：The New Year’s bell rings event (Japanese Only)
２．Houkou-ji temple
It is characterized by a very large bell that is counted as one of Japan’s three major bell towers.
Two to three people can hit the bell once on a first-come, first-served basis, so this event ends with 108 hits.
From around 23:50, the monk chants the sutra first, and then visitors can hit the bell later on.
Event / Access information
Numbered tickets：No numbered tickets are distributed
Event start：From 23:50pm
Closest bus stop：Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae
Contact number：+(81)75-531-492
３．Chishaku-in
At around 11:30 p.m., the ohitaki* memorial service is held, after which the location is changed to follow the monks, and it is the turn of the worshipers to ring the bell.
In addition, the bells on New Year’s Eve are rung after burning amulets with wishes for the old year.
*Ohitaki(お火焚き) is one of the ritual events that are held at temples for wishing peace and health.
Event / Access information
Numbered tickets：No numbered tickets are distributed
Event start：From 23:30pm
Closest bus stop：Higashiyama Nanajo and 3 minutes on foot
Official website：https://chisan.or.jp/en
☆Sakyou-ku area☆
４．Hyakumanben Chion-ji temple
The gate will open at 22:30, and numbered tickets will be distributed to one person or one group or people or family.
While chanting nembutsu, Buddhism chants, participants forming a circle pass a large rosary bead(350 kg, 110 m to next person of you. It is called dai-nen-jyukuri, which involves sending it to the next door.
(This event may not be held due to the influence of COVID-19)
Event / Access information
Numbered tickets：numbered tickets are distributed before the event
Event start：From 23:00pm
Closest bus stop：Hyakumanben
Official website：http://chionji.jp/ (Japanese Only)
５．Eikan-do
Eikando is always popular among Kyoto’s autumn foliage sightseeing spots, but here you can also experience the New Year’s Eve bell ringing.
Starting around 9:30 p.m., a monk will ring the bell 108 times, followed by “all those wishing to experience it” who have lined up on a first-come, first-served basis.
Multiple people will be at the same time for each shot. If there are many applicants, it may take longer than 3 hours.
Please stay warm and join us on the day. Amazake (sweet rice sake) were also offered in the past.
Event / Access information
Numbered tickets：No numbered tickets are distributed
Event start：From 21:30pm
Closest bus stop：Nanzen-ji Eikando-michi and 3 minutes on foot
Official website：“Joya-no-kane” Temple Bell Ringing on New Year’s Eve
☆Nakagyou-ku area☆
６．Mibu-dera temple
From 23:40, you can participate in the experience hitting the bell until 108 shots are hit on a first-come, first-served basis.
No numbered tickets will be distributed, but 10 to 20 people ring the bell once, it is a place with a high probability of being able to participate.
Event / Access information
Numbered tickets：No numbered tickets are distributed
Event start：From 23:40pm
Closest bus stop：Mibudera-michi
Official website：https://www.mibudera.com/#googtrans(ja|en)
☆Arashiyama area☆
７．Tenryu-ji temple
Numbered tickets for 108 groups are distributed from around 23:30, and from around 23:45, 10 groups can ring the bell in order. Priests ring the bells at the beginning and end.
Unlike Higashiyama, where temples are densely packed, Arashiyama is a famous tourist spot, but there is a relatively high chance of getting a numbered ticket, so it is a little-known spot.
Event / Access information
Numbered tickets：Numbered tickets are distributed before the event.
Event start：From 23:30pm
Closest station / bus stop：Saga Arashiyama sta, Arashiyama Tenryu-ji mae bus stop
Official website：31st: Year-end ceremony
It would be a great finishing at the end of the year with a special experience of ringing of the bell at temples on New Year’s Eve in Kyoto.
Experience the thrill of waiting for your turn to ring the bell and the experience of actually ringing the bell.
There are many other temples in Kyoto where you can ring the bell on New Year’s Eve.
We hope you will have a great moment at the New year moment!
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