Buddhist (Gomataki) Fire Ritual in a 1300 Years-Old Cave (Odd Numbered Months)

【OUTLINE】

Held each night in a cave on Shodoshima with a history that spans 1,300 years and is a rare opportunity to participate in a Gomataki Fire Ritual. This activity includes taxi transport from hotels on the island and Tonosho Port.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• The chief priest will say a prayer for you and answer any questions concerning the ceremony.
  
• A local guide will give a lecture on prayer's manners.
• Before and after the main event, there will be a chance to see the magnificent sunset of Setouchi.
• Listen to the sound of the burning goma sticks echoing in the cave, along with the waves rolling outside, and heal any fatigue from your daily life.

【PRICES】

JPY10,000～JPY29,200 (Tax Included)

【SCHEDULE】 

(Varies depending on the season; see the details section for more on what each season entails)
①Pick up at Tonosho port, and head then to Mt. Goishizan by Taxi.
②Experience the Gomataki Fire Ritual at Mt. Goishizan (about 55 min.)
③Drop off at the island hotel and Tonosho port

【DETAILS】

Your local guide will explain the history of Shodoshima and the Gomataki Fire Ritual.
Please have a special experience to pray for your wishes.

Route and times:
[May] Tonosho port/17:45 → Mt. Goishizan/18:35-19:30 → Bay Resort Hotel Shodoshima/19:40 → Tonosho port/20:20 → Hotel Olivean/20:35

[July] Tonosho port/18:00→ Mt. Goishizan/18:50～19:45→Bay Resort Hotel Shodoshima/19:55→Tonosho port/20:35→Hotel Olivean 20:50

[September] Tonosho port/16:45→Mt. Goishizan/17:35-18:30→Bay Resort Hotel Shodoshima/18:40→Tonosho port/19:20→Hotel Olivian 19:35

[Mt. Goishizan] Goishizan on Shodoshima is the 2nd temple of the 88 temples at the Shikoku Pilgrimage, and is the inner sanctuary of the 8th temple, Jokoji. This has been a sacred place for mountain worship and the principal Buddha of the temple is Namikiri Fudo, who oversees safety on the sea. The main hall that awaits you after climbing over 100 steps is in a cave, where daily goma ceremonies are held, and have blackened the ceiling to where it cannot be seen.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Time：2.5 hours
• Least participants：1 person
• Meeting point："Gift of the Sun" monument (Tonosho Port)
  (Inside the Tonosho Port) Tonoshocho, Shozu-gun, Kagawa-ken  761-4100
  
• Access：
  From Okayama area to Tonosho Port
   1. Okayama Station － Shin-Okayama Port: about 40 minutes by bus
       Shin-Okayama Port ー Tonosho Port: about 70 minutes by ferry
   2. Okayama Station ー Uno Station: about 50 minutes by bus
       Uno Port ー Tonosho Port: about 90 minutes by ferry
  
  From Takamatsu 
   Takamatsu Port － Tonosho Port: about 35 minutes by high speed boat
   Takamatsu Port － Tonosho Port: about 60 minutes by ferry
  
  From Teshima/Ieura Port
   Ieura Port － Tonosho Port: about 50 minutes by ferry
  
  
• Tour conductor for 24 hours：None
• Accompanying National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter or Local Licensed Guide Interpreter：None
• Language support：Japanese, English (guide, written explanation)
• Meals (included in a tour fee)：None
• Included ：Transportation to/from the hotels in the island and Tonosho port, ritual participation, 1 piece of Goma stick
• Excluded：From the 2nd piece of goma stick, foods and drinks, transportation out of the island
• Special support：
  ・Strollers can be brought in
  ・ Luggage can be stored in the car
• Free Wi-Fi：×
• Toilet (Western style) ：× (available at places to visit)
• Clothes：The ritual takes place in dark cave in the evening. Please wear easy-to-move clothes and shoes that you are used to.
• Other things to note：This plan is reserved for odd-numbered months. If you would like to make a reservation for even-numbered months, please use the "even-numbered month" equivalent plan.
• Operating company：Shodoshima Kotsu

【TOUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS】 

Before booking the tour, please confirm the Tour Terms & Conditions and save the document.

Check [TOUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS]（Japanese）

【TOUR PLANNER AND CONDUCTER】

Regional Branding Institute Co.,Ltd.
Aqua Terrace UⅡ bldg. 8F, 2-20-3 Kaminarimon, Taiko-ku, Tokyo, 111-0034
Travel Agency registered with a Tokyo Governor 2-7547
A regular member of All Nippon Travel Agents Association

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

10 to 8 days before the departure date of the tour　20%
7 to 2 days before the departure date of the tour　30%
The day before the departure date of the tour　40%
On the day of the departure date of the tour　50%
After the tour departed, No show　100%