Kawasaki Daishi Temple Feature on NTV's 'Hirunandesu!' Sparks Buzz on X

NTV's information program 'Hirunandesu!' featured Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, generating a huge buzz on X (formerly Twitter). Titled 'A Fortune-Boosting Trip to Kawasaki Daishi, Bustling During Year-End and New Year!', the segment included appearances by Miyuki Imori, Mizuki Inoue from popular group HiHi Jets, and Reia Nakamura from 7 MEN Samurai, who thoroughly showcased the charms of Kawasaki Daishi, known as a sacred site for warding off evil.

Following the broadcast, comments like 'I'll make this my first visit of the year (hatsumōde)' and 'I want to go to Kawasaki Daishi' rapidly increased on social media. Expectations for a fan 'pilgrimage' also grew, with remarks such as 'If Mijurea (Mizuki Inoue and Reia Nakamura) went to Kawasaki Daishi, I want to go too.'

The program introduced the main hall and Nakamise-dori, bustling with worshippers during the year-end and New Year period. Particular attention was drawn to the correct way to worship at a temple. Many viewers seemed to realize the difference from shrines anew, with comments like 'I just learned that for temples, you don't do two bows, two claps, one bow, but rather put your hands together and bow once' and 'I've been worshipping incorrectly.'

The gourmet foods introduced along Nakamise-dori also garnered keen interest. In addition to comments such as 'I want to go eat warabi mochi!' and 'Warming up with Kuzumochi... isn't that the best course, meow?', interest was shown in a variety of street foods, including 'The clam hot pot looks delicious' and 'Boost your luck with gold sesame curry bread.'

It also became a topic of discussion that Mizuki Inoue, who is in his "yakudoshi" (unlucky year following a major one), drew an omikuji (fortune slip) with the result 'Health luck → long-term treatment.' Fans sent messages of encouragement, saying, 'Mizuki-kun, hang in there! Please take care.' Users also posted photos of the beautiful autumn foliage of the weeping willows, a scenic highlight unique to this season, conveying the multifaceted charm of Kawasaki Daishi filled with seasonal atmosphere.

Furthermore, nostalgic comments from local residents, such as 'I spent my years from kindergarten to middle school first grade around Kawasaki Daishi' and 'I've been going there for hatsumōde for many years,' were received, reaffirming its status as a familiar and special place for many people. With the year-end and New Year approaching, Kawasaki Daishi is likely to attract more attention than usual as an appealing hatsumōde spot for those wishing for protection from evil and good fortune.

The Context

Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple is one of Japan's most revered Buddhist temples, located in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. It is particularly famous for its rituals and prayers for yakuyoke (warding off evil spirits or bad luck).

Hirunandesu! is a popular live daytime variety show broadcast on NTV (Nippon Television) in Japan. It covers a wide range of lifestyle topics, including travel, gourmet food, and fashion, often featuring celebrity guests.

Hatsumōde is the traditional first visit to a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple of the New Year in Japan. Millions of people participate annually to pray for health, happiness, and good fortune in the coming year. Kawasaki Daishi is a highly popular destination for hatsumōde, attracting vast crowds.

The article highlights a common point of confusion: the difference in worship etiquette between Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. At Shinto shrines, the common practice is to bow twice, clap twice, and then bow once. However, at Buddhist temples like Kawasaki Daishi, worshippers typically press their hands together in prayer (gassho) and bow once, without clapping.

Nakamise-dori refers to the lively approach street leading to many major Japanese temples and shrines. These streets are typically lined with shops selling souvenirs, local delicacies, and traditional snacks, offering a vibrant atmosphere for visitors.

Omikuji are fortune slips that can be drawn at temples and shrines, providing predictions for the future and guidance on various aspects of life, such as health, wealth, and relationships.

Yakudoshi are "calamity years" or "unlucky years" in Japanese tradition, believed to be periods when one is more susceptible to misfortune or illness. These years occur at specific ages for men and women, often leading people to visit temples for yakuyoke rituals to ward off bad luck. "後厄" (go-yaku) refers to the second year of the three-year yakudoshi period, following the main calamity year (honyaku).