Thank you for visiting my blog! I ‘m Mary living in Miyagi pref. Japan.
My hobby is visiting shrines and temples mainly in Tohoku region, Japan.
In this vlog, I will introduce the shrines and temples that I have actually visited.
This is a continuation from Part 1 of my introduction to Jigen-ji Temple in Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.
After offering your prayers at the main hall, I recommend visiting the fuda-sho (votive slip office).
Alongside omamori and ofuda, this place also offers books and various goods by Dai Ajari Ryōjun Shionuma
I bought a wooden nenju (Buddhist prayer beads) here.
I also bought a few books by Dai Ajari Ryōjun Shionuma, and each had his handwritten signature on the title spread. (Since I purchased them several years ago, I’m not sure if they still come with a handwritten signature today.)
My personal recommendation from the fuda-sho is the goma sticks used for prayers during the Goma fire ritual. Each one costs 300 yen, and you write your name along with your wish on it. If you leave it with the staff at the fuda-sho, they will include your wish in the next Goma ritual.
The Goma fire ritual is held at Jigen-ji’s Goma Hall on the third Sunday of every month at 1:00 p.m. If you make a reservation online, you can watch the ritual in person inside the hall. Even without a reservation, you can still view it on a monitor installed in the main hall.
I once watched the Goma prayer ceremony on the monitor in the main hall. As I mentioned earlier, the ceremony itself takes place in the Goma Hall, but before it began, Dai Ajari Shionuma himself came to the main hall to greet us.
In his pure white robes, Dai Ajari radiated a sacred presence. When his eyes swept the room, they almost met mine—but feeling embarrassed, I quickly looked down. I still regret that missed chance, even now.
I hope that one day, I’ll be able to witness and fully experience the Goma fire ritual firsthand.
At Jigen-ji, it’s not only the Goma fire ritual that draws visitors. The temple also hosts other events, such as tea gatherings and zazen (seated meditation) sessions.
The tea gatherings are a relaxed opportunity to enjoy conversation over tea—sometimes with temple staff or even the monks themselves. It’s a casual yet respectful setting, where participants can talk about Buddhism, everyday life, or simply the beauty of the temple grounds.
The zazen sessions, on the other hand, invite visitors to practice mindfulness and seated meditation in the temple’s serene atmosphere. Guided by an experienced instructor, even beginners can join without worry, learning how to sit, breathe, and focus in stillness.
For both activities, it’s best to check the temple’s official website for dates and details, and to make a reservation if possible. Comfortable, modest clothing is recommended, especially for meditation.
Every time I step into Jigen-ji, I find myself wishing I could just stay. With no other visitors around most of the time, I have the main hall’s principal deity, Zaō Gongen, all to myself—and that makes me never want to leave his side.
As I wrote in my previous article, the principal deity of the main hall has a force so strong it feels as though it could physically draw you in. With such power, I believe any wish made here could surely come true.
I’ll wrap it up here for today. Thank you so much for reading until the end.
Important Reminder: Sacred sites such as shrines and temples deserve reverence. Be sure to show respect and follow proper etiquette when you visit.
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