Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple was founded in 766. The Daigomado building is the largest hall for the Goma Prayer in Nikko, and is a spiritual center for many worshipers to pray for the safety of their families and prosperity in business. In this plan, after attending the Goma Prayer, you can participate in a morning religious service including sutra chanting, followed by an offering of specially-arranged traditional Nikko Buddhist cuisine.

Point 1: Examine your inner self with the 1,200-year-old Goma Prayer

After gathering, you will first experience a fascinating ritual called the Goma Prayer, an esoteric Buddhist practice with more than 1,200 years of history. Wood and incense are burned, and prayers written on wood are offered into the flames. Fire is considered a symbol of purification, and it is believed that its power will burn away the evil inside the hearts of worshipers.

In the Daigomado Hall, participants kindle the fire, allowing them to directly entrust their own troubles and worries to the flames. Being able to participate directly in the ritual forms a strong bond between visitors and the temple. The Goma Prayer is a precious opportunity to examine one's inner self and achieve a sense of peace and liberation. You're sure to have a profound spiritual experience.

The Daigomado Hall of Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple is primarily dedicated to the five great wisdom kings (Godai Myoo) along with 30 other Buddhist and ancestral statues, including the Seven Deities of Good Fortune and the Twelve Heavenly Deities. As a part of this special plan, the prayer service includes a detailed explanation of the historical background by a professional guide, and viewings of special areas not normally accessible to the public. The statue of Fudo Myoo (one of the five great wisdom kings) lit by flickering flames leaves an unforgettable impression and creates a sense of peace in the viewer.

Point 2: Special observation of the morning religious service held at Sanbutsudo Hall

Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple offers an immersive dive into its history and culture through participation in morning services. The Main Hall (or "Hondo") is the largest building on the temple grounds and the largest wooden building in eastern Japan. One of very few Tendai Esoteric Buddhist-style buildings in existence, the hall was originally built in the Heian period (794-1185) and was rebuilt into its current form by the third Tokugawa shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, in 1645.

Point 3: Enjoy Buddhist cuisine at TAIKOBO

TAIKOBO, a lodge situated near Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple, serves Buddhist cuisine passed down for generations, incorporating fresh ingredients that reflect the four seasons. This plan offers a specially-arranged menu that preserves tradition but is easy to eat even for those unfamiliar with Japanese cuisine.

Point 4: Prayer service with historical background at the Nikkozan Daigomado Hall

The Daigomado is a special hall known for preserving traditional practices continuously since the Heian period. As the five Godai Myoo are enshrined here, five Goma Prayers are held every day. The Godai Myoo are important entities in esoteric Buddhism, each a deity with a different role. Inside the Daigomado, worshipers hope to burn away their troubles and misfortunes and receive the blessings of the kings, purifying their bodies and minds.

The Ogasawara family, deeply connected to Nikko, have preserved the study of traditional etiquette once required of samurai and shogun for centuries. These rules of etiquette, called Ogasawara-ryu, also include martial arts with their focus on archery, both on foot and horseback. In this experience plan, you can learn Ogawara-ryu etiquette, archery, and horse-mounted archery at the Butokuden Hall at Nikko Toshogu Shrine.

What is Ogawara-ryu, the basis of samurai discipline?

The Ogasawara family trained samurai for more than eight centuries, from 1192, when the samurai government began, to 1868, when the shogunate collapsed. These rules of etiquette formed the basis of a warrior's behavior, both on and off the battlefield.

Ogasawara-ryu etiquette is practical, rational, and beautiful, and aims to train the mind and body in every aspect of life. The teachings of Ogasawara-ryu, which nurtured the dignity and spirituality of the samurai, have remained a respected standard for proper behavior not only in battle, but in daily life.

In this tour packed with hands-on experiences, participants will explore three aspects of Ogasawara-ryu: etiquette, archery, and horse-mounted archery.

Point 1: Learn the foundation of martial arts through Ogasawara-ryu etiquette

The participants change into archery uniforms and receive a lecture on basic movements such as proper posture when standing and sitting. Though it sounds simple, these movements require tireless training to perform perfectly. It has been said that through the practice of proper etiquette, one not only hones a dignified aura, but also gains the balanced physique essential for horsemanship and the level-headedness necessary for warfare. Through this experience, you'll come to understand the meaning behind the rigid samurai code of conduct.

Point 2: Learn proper samurai etiquette through archery (kyujutsu)

Kyujutsu is a traditional Japanese martial art. Japanese archery has a zen-like calmness, with a perceptible beauty in the way the archer stills their mind and releases all their energy at the target. Before you can hold the bow in your hand and set the arrow against the bowstring, you must have a proper understanding of the etiquette of the samurai.

Point 3: Experience horse-mounted archery (yabusame) on the same wooden practice horses as the Ogasawara clan

Yabusame is the art of firing arrows from the back of a running horse. As the horse gallops at breakneck speed, the rider takes their hands off the reins and fires off arrows with precision. In this experience, you can try your hand at shooting arrows astride a wooden horse, the same ones used for practice by the Ogasawara clan.

The very act of placing the arrow on the bow and pulling back the bowstring has a spiritual, purifying purpose. Japanese archery has ritualistic connotations and is linked to ancient Shinto traditions, uniting the archer and their art, and creating a connection with the natural space that surrounds them. The experience of archery and horse-mounted archery will help you understand the spirituality of the samurai.

These special plans will take place this fall at the Shrines and Temples of Nikko World Heritage Site. Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple offers the 1200-year-old Goma Prayer and religious services, and Nikko Toshogu Shrine offers hands-on training in martial arts, both valuable opportunities to experience the essence of Japan. Both plans can be applied for through the website. Find time in your travel itinerary to try these unforgettable experiences for yourself!