Guide club to take in temple sake ceremony
The Guide Interpreter Volunteer Club is organizing a one-day tour for foreigners to an annual ceremony held at Daianji temple in Nara Prefecture on Jan. 23.
The group will observe a memorial service -- which involves warming sake in a bamboo cylinder over a fire -- held annually in honor of Emperor Konin, who ruled in the eighth century. The "sasazake," or liquor in bamboo, is believed to ward off illness, especially cancer, and will be served to visitors in bamboo cups.
Participants will meet the guide, Paul Satoh, at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Kyoto City Tourist Information Office on the second floor of JR Kyoto Station building.