This video captures the vivid Chishakuin Aoba Festival, held on June 15th, 2025, at Chishakuin Temple (智積院), the head temple of the Shingon Buddhist Chisan sect in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. Following an early summer rain, the video documents a series of traditional events that astounded both Japanese visitors and foreign tourists alike.

The festival begins with the ornately costumed yamabushi (mountain ascetic monks) and other Buddhist monks parading through the temple grounds during the Oneri Gyoretsu (procession). This mesmerizing ritual displays the deep spiritual culture of Kyoto’s legendary temples, offering a rare glimpse at Japan’s syncretic traditions combining Shinto and Buddhist elements.

A highlight of the festival is the Daigomagu ritual, a spectacular fire ceremony featuring the chanting of esoteric sutras and the dramatic use of fire to symbolize purification and the burning away of worldly desires. The climax of the event is the Hiwatari Shinji (Fire-Walking Ceremony), where monks and participants courageously walk barefoot over hot coals. The emotional intensity and discipline of this fire-walking tradition often leave foreign spectators amazed, as shown in their reactions throughout the video.

Chishakuin Temple, founded in the late 16th century, is renowned for its lush grounds, historic paintings, and significant role as a Shingon Buddhist center. The Aoba Festival honors the birth of Kobo Daishi (Kukai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism, and is a major annual event in Kyoto, drawing sightseers eager to experience authentic local culture. Located in Kyoto’s Higashiyama, Chishakuin is conveniently accessible and a recommended stop for travelers interested in Japanese religious rituals and traditional festivals.