For me, who moved from the Kanto region to Kurashiki in December 2023, the New Year's transition from 2024 to 2025 was my first year-end and New Year celebration in Kurashiki.
Since it was a great opportunity, I wanted to experience a year-end celebration typical of Kurashiki! Therefore, I participated in the New Year's Eve events in the Bikan Historical Area, and I would like to share the atmosphere of New Year's Eve in the Bikan Historical Area.
Strolling in the Bikan Historical Area starts from the parking lot of Kurashiki-Higashi Elementary School
When you think of the Bikan Historical Area, you might imagine the Ohara Museum of Art and traditional townhouses, but there are also several shrines and temples.
Among them, Achi Shrine, known as the only shrine in the Bikan Historical Area and the guardian deity of Kurashiki (the local protector), opens the grounds of Kurashiki-Higashi Elementary School as a temporary parking lot from December 31 to January 3.
I also started from the ground of Kurashiki-Higashi Elementary School at 11 PM and walked the following route until 1 AM on January 1.
New Year's bell at Seiganji Temple
The first place I headed to after leaving the ground of Kurashiki-Higashi Elementary School was Seiganji Temple.
I went to ring the New Year's bell that can be heard throughout the town around midnight on New Year's Eve.
When I arrived around 11 PM, the New Year's bell was already ringing throughout the Bikan Historical Area, so I was a bit worried if I would make it in time and if there would be a long line, but there were only a few people in line, and I reached the bell in about five minutes.
In front of the bell, the monk was waiting, and he reassured me by teaching me to bow in front of the bell before ringing it and the timing to strike the bell.
After ringing the bell, I received a sange, which is a token indicating the order in which I rang the bell. Sange means a flower offered to the Buddha in Buddhism. I used to receive it at the temple I visited with my grandmother during my childhood, so it brings back nostalgic feelings.
At many temples, the New Year's bell is struck 108 times. This 108 represents the number of human desires, known as bonno, which confuse the mind and cause suffering and distress.
Listening to the sound of the bell, I offered my bonno from the past year and welcomed the new year. Striking one of the important bells with my own hands made my heart feel resolute.
New Year's celebration at Achi Shrine
After enjoying sweet sake at Seiganji Temple and warming up from the inside, I walked through the Bikan Historical Area towards Achi Shrine.
Many shops in the Bikan Historical Area close in the evening, so walking through the town at night feels refreshing.
New Year's soba and udon
When I arrived at Achi Shrine, a pleasant aroma of broth wafted through the air.
As I walked towards the source of the smell, New Year's soba and udon were being served.
The long shape of New Year's soba and udon symbolizes wishes for longevity and health, but it also has a meaning of warding off evil. Since 2025 is a year of misfortune for me, it was the perfect New Year's event, so I decided to partake.
I chose udon because I like it, and I was told that the udon noodles were from Bukkake udon "Furuichi," which had a smooth and pleasant texture.
Kagami-biraki and dance offering
The New Year at Achi Shrine starts with kagami-biraki. The sake is "Bannen-yuki" from the sake brewery Morita Shuzo located in the Bikan Historical Area.
Together with the 26th Achi Three Goddesses, we counted down, and at the moment it turned to January 1, 2025, the kagami-biraki was performed, and we successfully welcomed 2025.
Next, the dance offering by the Achi Three Goddesses took place. While there are many shrines across the country where shrine maidens offer dances, it is said that the unique aspect of Achi Shrine is that the maidens embody the gods and offer dances with thoughts for the people.
In contrast to the bustling grounds filled with New Year visitors, the atmosphere inside the worship hall was solemn as the dance was offered.
Various auspicious items unique to the New Year
The various auspicious items unique to the New Year are also one of the joys of the first shrine visit of the year.
Since there are many shops in the Bikan Historical Area, a variety of auspicious items such as kumade (rake) and hamaya (demon-exorcising arrow) were available.
I discovered a zodiac figurine containing a fortune slip, which is unique to the New Year. Since I was curious about the fortune slip and wanted a New Year decoration for my home, I decided to receive the fortune slip contained in the zodiac figurine.
Additionally, there were unique amulets such as the Hanamakimori (flower-wrapping amulet) at Achi Shrine.
This Hanamakimori is a collaboration between Achi Shrine and Okayama Lace Co., Ltd., and it is said to be imbued with a prayer for forming strong and long-lasting connections, like the thick and long vines of the prefecture-designated natural monument "Achi Wisteria" that grows within Achi Shrine.
Since I was born in February, I received the winter-limited "Yogoto." I hope that many good things will accumulate in my mind and body throughout this year.
Conclusion
With temporary parking lots established and the sweet sake served being non-alcoholic, it seems that even those who are not within walking distance of the Bikan Historical Area can easily participate in the New Year's events.
The sound of the New Year's bell echoing through the traditional streets of the Bikan Historical Area is very charming, and a quiet night walk through the town is a perfect setting to reflect on the past year. Enjoying Kurashiki-style New Year's udon and the sake from the Bikan Historical Area, which was ceremonially opened, made for a unique New Year's experience in Kurashiki.
The traditional New Year's events in the Bikan Historical Area, which have been preserved for many years, are one of the annual events that I hope will continue in this region.
Data on the New Year's Bell at Seigan-ji Temple and the New Year Festival at Achi Shrine
| Name | New Year's Bell at Seigan-ji Temple, New Year Festival at Achi Shrine |
|---|---|
| Address | Bikan Historical Area |
| Website | Achi Shrine |
Kurashiki-Higashi Elementary School → Seiganji Temple → Achi Shrine → Kurashiki-Higashi Elementary School