Description

Tanukidani, meaning 'racoon valley' is something of an eclectic oddity among the temples of Kyoto. Situated halfway up a mountain in Higashiyama, the first stage of the Shingon complex is a large car-park. There, drivers can have their car and themselves blessed, after which they can buy a distinctive orange sticker to show off their new divinely-protected status. Further up the steep hill is the main hall where additional esoteric blessing ceremonies involving fire are conducted by the priests amid clouds of incense and the beat of percussion. The view from the top is also worth the climb.

In July the temple plays host to a strange but popular fire-walking ceremony.