Chion-in Joya no Kane Open Rehearsal 2026

Chion-in's trial ringing of the joya-no-kane takes place December 27, 2026 from 14:00, one of Kyoto's winter traditions. Seventeen monks ring the roughly 70-ton bell just as in the real ceremony: one monk holds the parent rope and sixteen hold the small ropes, striking to the calls 'ēi hitotsu' and 'sōre'. Visitors watch only; when crowded, entry to the bell tower may be limited for safety, and tripods, selfie sticks, action cameras held above head height and drones may not be used for photography.