Geikosai at Yakuoin Mt Takao 2025-2026

• December 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm
  Event date:
• January 1, 2026 at 4:30 am
  Event end:

History

The Geikosai (高尾山薬王院の迎光祭), held at Yakuoin Temple atop Mt. Takao, is a revered New Year festival that marks both the transition from the old year to the new and the spiritual purification of participants. This event is closely tied to hatsumode, the first temple or shrine visit of the year in Japan, which has been a tradition for centuries. Worshippers come to pray for health, prosperity, and protection in the coming year.

Mt. Takao has long been considered a sacred mountain, with Yakuoin Temple serving as a key religious site for mountain ascetics (yamabushi) and Shingon Buddhist practices. The Geikosai festival incorporates centuries-old rituals, blending the spiritual chanting of sutras, fire offerings, and the symbolic welcoming of the first sunrise to mark a blessed start to the New Year.

Over time, Geikosai has grown from a small temple ceremony into a widely recognized event, drawing thousands of pilgrims and visitors from Tokyo and beyond. Its combination of natural beauty, spiritual rituals, and the iconic view of Mt. Fuji at sunrise has cemented its reputation as one of the most meaningful and visually stunning New Year celebrations in the Tokyo region.

Overview

The Geikosai at Yakuoin Mt Takao 2025-2026 will take place from December 31st, 2025, to January 1st, 2026, spanning the New Year transition. The event begins at midnight on New Year’s Eve with Hatsumode — the first worship of the year — and continues through sunrise on January 1st with the Geikosai ceremony. Fire rituals (Goma) are conducted throughout the morning until around 5:00 PM by temple priests, offering blessings and protection to all participants.

Visitors to the festival can witness a combination of prayer rituals, fire ceremonies, and chanting, as well as the mountain ascetics blowing conch shells during the first sunrise, which typically occurs around 6:48 AM on January 1st. On clear days, the view from the temple includes a breathtaking sight of Mt. Fuji, making the sunrise experience both spiritual and visually spectacular.

To reach Yakuoin Temple, visitors may use the Mt. Takao cable car or chair lift, followed by a 30-minute uphill walk to the temple. The Mt. Takao cable car operates through the night on New Year’s Eve into New Year’s Day to accommodate the heavy influx of visitors.

Highlights

• Participate in Hatsumode, Japan’s first temple visit of the New Year.
• Witness the Geikosai ceremony, welcoming the first sunrise of 2026.
• Experience traditional Goma fire rituals for protection and blessings.
• See the stunning view of Mt. Fuji from the summit on a clear day.
• Unique opportunity to observe mountain ascetics (yamabushi) performing age-old rituals.

Why Jasumo Recommends?

• Offers a deeply spiritual and traditional New Year experience near Tokyo.
• Opportunity to witness sacred Buddhist rituals in a natural mountain setting.
• The first sunrise ceremony (Geikosai) provides an unforgettable start to 2026.
• Easily accessible via public transport and cable car from central Tokyo.
• Perfect for visitors seeking cultural immersion, photography, and reflection.

If you’re coming to Japan or already here, and need any type of help — from custom tours and experiences to transportation or ticket booking — just contact us using the Contact Us page on Jasumo.

Schedule

Dates: December 31st, 2025 – January 1st, 2026
Event Hours: 23:59 (Dec 31) – 16:30 (Jan 1)

Event Highlights:

• Hatsumode (New Year Pilgrimage): Starts at midnight, Dec 31st, at Yakuoin Temple & Mt. Takao Summit
• Goma Fire Rituals: Midnight – 5:00 PM, Jan 1st, at Yakuoin Temple Main Hall
• Geikosai Ceremony: Around 6:48 AM, Jan 1st, at the summit and temple prayer site, including chanting and conch shell ceremonies

Note: The Mt. Takao cable car runs all night to support visitors for Hatsumode and Geikosai ceremonies. Check the official Keio/Cable Car website for exact extended operating hours.

Pricing

• Event Entry: Free
• Ropeway/Cable Car: Adult Round Trip ¥950 (mid-mountain access required, separate from temple entry)
• Goma Prayer Fee: Optional, varies per individual prayer request

Note: Access to Yakuoin Temple and the Geikosai ceremony itself is free, but the cable car or chair lift ticket is required to reach the mid-mountain and summit.

Location

Venue: Yakuoin Temple, 2177 Takaomachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193-8686, Japan

How to Get There:

• By Public Transport: Take the Keio Takao Line to Takaosanguchi Station, then a short walk to the cable car station and trail entry. Extra trains are often provided during New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
• By Car: Take the Ken-O Expressway, exit at Takaosan. Parking is available at the base near Takaosanguchi Station, but expect possible waiting times due to high visitor volume.

Accommodation Options

Hachioji and surrounding areas offer hotels and guesthouses for all budgets. Staying nearby allows early access to Mt. Takao for the midnight and early morning rituals. Visitors can enjoy local dining, onsens, and easy transit to Tokyo city afterward.

Typical accommodation costs range from ¥7,000 to ¥18,000 per night, depending on the hotel type and amenities. Advance booking is highly recommended due to the New Year’s influx of visitors.

FAQs

What is Geikosai at Yakuoin Mt Takao?

Geikosai is the ceremony to welcome the first sunrise of the year, accompanied by chanting and conch shell rituals at Yakuoin Temple.

When does the event take place?

The event runs from December 31st, 2025, at 23:59 through January 1st, 2026, at 16:30, with the sunrise ceremony around 6:48 AM.

Is there an entry fee?

No, entry to Yakuoin Temple and the Geikosai ceremony is free, though ropeway/cable car tickets are required to reach the temple.

How do I get to Yakuoin Temple?

Visitors can reach the temple via the Mt. Takao cable car or chair lift, followed by a 30-minute uphill walk. Public transport or driving to the cable car station is also possible.

What should I wear for the event?

Dress in very warm layers, as temperatures on Mt. Takao can be near or below freezing in the early morning. Sturdy shoes for the walk from the cable car to the temple are recommended.

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