Visitors join the shimenawa dedication at Hozan-ji’s great torii on December 16, 2026

Raising the rope to the great torii with a chant after the service

Hozan-ji Temple stands halfway up Mount Ikoma, near the border between Nara and Osaka prefectures. The temple is affectionately known as “Shōten-san.” Each year on December 16, a Buddhist service is held to hang a shimenawa rope made from glutinous rice straw on the great torii. The dedication ceremony will also take place on December 16 in 2026.

The event begins with a Buddhist service, followed by the raising of the shimenawa to the torii. The rope, lifted to the chant “Rokkon shōjō” (“purify the six senses”), is made from glutinous rice straw. Knowing that the raising follows the service can help you decide which part of the event you would like to see.

General visitors can also help raise the rope, working together to complete the installation. A distinctive feature of the event is that visitors can choose not only to watch the dedication but also to take part in the work. Consider whether you would like to join in or mainly observe as you plan your visit.

At the end of the event, visitors are given straw from the glutinous rice used to make the shimenawa. The connection between the rope’s material and what is distributed at the close adds to the sense of continuity throughout the dedication. Follow the event from the Buddhist service and the raising accompanied by chants to the distribution of the glutinous rice straw at the end.