Photos: Koichi Shibata · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Yanajin33 · CC BY-SA 3.0 (2, 4, 5) · ddio · CC BY-SA 2.0
At the Godairiki-son Ninnōe ("Godairiki-san") at Daigo-ji on 23 February, competitors lift giant red-and-white kagami-mochi, 150 kg for men and 90 kg for women, in front of the Kondō as an offering of strength.
Why it's unique
The day goes back to 907, and the mochi lift is its centrepiece: a timed contest of strength, held in front of the main hall, with rice cakes heavier than most of the people lifting them.
The scope is held loosely: no search was made for rival mochi-lifting contests elsewhere in Japan, so confidence is lowered. Even if you only watch, the day sells anti-theft talismans that are the ones pasted over doorways in old Kyoto shops.
Before you go
Entry is by advance application (the 2026 form had closed well before the day). Men lift at 11:00 and women at 13:00. The timed format returned in 2024 after a pandemic-era change to holding for a fixed five minutes.
The anti-theft talismans sold only that day are the ones pasted over doorways in old Kyoto shops, so buy one even if you only watch. Get to the Kondō early for a view. Temple admission is ¥600 to ¥1,500 by combination; it is a 10 minute walk from Daigo station on the Tōzai Line.
