Dec 08 (NHK) - A Buddhist temple in Kyoto is holding its annual year-end event serving cooked Japanese radish, or daikon, to pray for the good health of visitors.
The Senbon Shakado temple's "Daikodaki" is a celebration of the Buddha's spiritual awakening and is said to date back about seven centuries.
The ritual is held on December 7 and 8 every year at the temple's compound.
Chopped daikon was cooked with abura-age, or sliced deep-fried bean curd, in large pots each about one meter wide.
On Saturday morning, people formed long lines in freezing weather to buy a bowl of the hot dish.
A woman in her 60s from Otsu City, near Kyoto, said that the daikon is well-cooked and delicious. She added that she wants to stay in good shape and come to sample the dish every year.
Around 15,000 bowls are served during the 2-day event.
