22nd Dojima Yakushido Setsubun Water Drawing Festival on February 3rd
The 22nd Dojima Yakushido Setsubun Omizukumi Festival, a springtime tradition that calls forth spring and good fortune in Osaka Kita, will be held on Monday, February 3rd, 2025. The festival, which is free to attend, will take place at Dojima Yakushido Temple, the Dojima Avanza 1st-floor special venue, and other areas around Dojima and Sonezaki Shinchi in Osaka City’s Kita Ward.
The festivities will commence at 2:30 PM with the Setsubun Buddhist memorial service at Dojima Yakushido Temple, followed by Omizukumi, the pouring of holy water into the bamboo talismans of worshippers. This ritual is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
A special stage inside Dojima Avanza will host a variety of performances throughout the day. Attendees can expect to witness powerful "Shomyo" (Buddhist chanting) by the monks of Nara Yakushiji Temple, as well as dedicatory dances performed by the geishas of Kitashinchi.
In the evening, the "White Dragon" enshrined at Dojima Yakushido will be paraded through the streets from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Joining the procession will be Kitashinchi women dressed as "Obake" (ghosts) and the "Kitashinchi Queen" dressed as an Oiran (courtesan), adding a touch of traditional elegance to the festivities. This procession will take place from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
Osaka Pro Wrestling will also be present to entertain the crowds, ensuring a lively atmosphere throughout the event. Additionally, Toshio Kamei, the composer of Kitashinchi’s new image song "Fushigini Ii Kanji" (lyrics by Neko Oikawa), will perform the song on the special stage inside Dojima Avanza.
The festival offers a unique opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture and witness a variety of performances, all within the vibrant setting of Osaka’s Kita Ward. The combination of religious rituals, traditional performances, and modern entertainment makes this event stand out from other Setsubun festivals.
Event Details
- Date: February 3rd, 2025 (Monday)
- Time: 2:30 PM to 8:00 PM (varies depending on the specific event)
- Location:
- Dojima Yakushido Temple (1-6-20 Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka City)
- Dojima Avanza 1st-floor special venue (1-6-20 Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka City)
- Other areas around Dojima and Sonezaki Shinchi, Kita-ku, Osaka City
- Price: Free admission
- Contact: 06-6345-0006 (Kitashinchi Social Dining Association)
- Website: Kitashinchi Social Dining Association
What is Dojima Yakushido?
Dojima Yakushido is a Buddhist temple in Osaka, Japan, dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing and medicine. It serves as a place of worship and reflection for both locals and visitors.
The temple features traditional Japanese architecture, with wooden structures and well-maintained gardens providing a peaceful retreat from the city. Dojima Yakushido hosts various cultural and religious events throughout the year, including the Setsubun Festival, which marks the beginning of spring and involves rituals to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.
Visitors can explore the temple’s grounds and participate in its events, gaining insight into the cultural heritage of Osaka and the spiritual practices that continue to thrive in this historic setting.
