Religious · Kansai
Todaiji Shuni-e (Omizutori / Otaimatsu torch ceremonies)
東大寺 修二会（お水取り・お松明）
The 1,270-year-old Shuni-e penance rite whose nightly otaimatsu, giant pine torches swung from the Nigatsudo balcony, shower sparks over the crowd.
Expected window
- Dates
- Mon 01 to Sun 14 Mar 2027
- Date status
- Expected window, from the previous edition or tradition. Not yet confirmed.
- Venue
- Nigatsudo Hall, Todaiji Temple
- City
- Nara
- Prefecture
- Nara
- Region
- Kansai
- Category
- Religious
- Tickets
- Free
- Checked
- Fri 23 Oct 2026 against the official source
About this event
The 1,270-year-old Shuni-e penance rite whose nightly otaimatsu, giant pine torches swung from the Nigatsudo balcony, shower sparks over the crowd. The water-drawing itself happens before dawn on 13 March. Free; first-come viewing from the lawn below Nigatsudo, capacity-limited Nothing bookable; arrive before the ~16:30 access cut-off. Avoid 12 March (lay confraternity day, general public gets only a brief moving view)
Booking
Booked around the event: hotels, passes, transfers and eSIM. Booking links for this event are added after the product checks pass.
Official source: https://www.todaiji.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20260202.pdf. Dates checked Fri 23 Oct 2026.