Kyoto Temple Turns Iconic New Year Bell Into Ticketed Event

Located in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, Chion-in is known for its New Year’s Eve bell-ringing ceremony, where the bell is struck 108 times to symbolize the cleansing of human desires, a tradition that has long marked the arrival of the new year. The bell itself, built in the early Edo period, stands about 3.3 meters tall, weighs around 70 tons, and is considered one of Japan’s three great temple bells alongside those at Todaiji in Nara and Hokoji in Kyoto. It is also designated as an Important Cultural Property.

In recent years, even the preliminary test-ringing has drawn large crowds, with the main event on December 31st echoing across Kyoto in deep, resonant tones. However, Chion-in announced on October 1st that it will now require advance reservations and introduce an admission fee.

“The number of visitors to Chion-in has exploded during the year-end and New Year period, with lines stretching all the way around the temple grounds,” said Masashi Kuki of the temple’s General Affairs Department. With the rise of social media and a surge in inbound tourism, the event has become so popular that queues sometimes extend for more than a kilometer, occasionally leading to disputes among visitors.

To ensure safety, access will be restricted to 2,000 people with prior reservations. The admission fee is set at 3,000 yen per person, with free entry for elementary school students and younger. Attendees will be divided into four groups of 500, entering the temple in rotation.

“By introducing a fee, we hope not only to control the crowds but also to use the proceeds as a preservation fund for future generations,” Kuki said. The temple also plans to livestream the event, allowing people to take part virtually from home via computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Reservations will open on December 1st through Chion-in’s dedicated website and from December 8th at the temple’s reception office.

Source: YOMIURI