January

This shrine has long drawn large numbers of parishioners as the premier shrine in Iga Province. Performances of the Shishi Kagura (Lion Dance), designated as a Prefectural Intangible Folk Cultural Property, are held here. The Shishi Kagura can be seen only at the Maihatsu Festival at the start of the year, the Maijo Festival on April 17, and the On Festival on December 5.

Date	January 3 , every year
Location	Aekuni Shrine
Access by Public Transit	JR関西本線「JR伊賀上野駅」又は 伊賀鉄道「上野市駅」から車で15分
Access by Car	名阪国道「伊賀一之宮I.C（E25 IC12)」から約5分

This is one of just a handful of temples in Japan with the imperial chrysanthemum crest. On New Year’s Eve, the temple bell is rung to mark the new year, and from New Year’s Day to January 3, a Goma (Buddhist fire ritual) service is held as the first prayer of the New Year.

Dates	January 1 - January 3 , every year
Location	Shindaibutsuji Temple
Access by public transit	An approximately 35-minute drive from Shindo Station on the JR Kansai Main Line
Access by car	An approximately 40-minute drive west of Tsu IC on the Ise Expressway

Regular visitors are welcome to ring the bell on December 31 starting at 23:24 and 20 seconds. Starting at midnight on January 1, Fukunokami (Deity of Good Fortune) tags are distributed to the first 300 visitors. Shushoe, a festival that heralds the arrival of spring, is held on February 11 and 12 every year.

Date	December 31 - January 3
Location	Kanbodaiji Temple (Shogatsudo)
Access by Public Transit	An approximately 20-minute walk from Shimagahara Station on the JR Kansai Main Line.
Access by Car	An approximately 20-minute drive from Ouchi Interchange on the Meihan Expressway.

The shrine is known for the Yoseki stone, which protects against earthquakes, as well as its treasure hall, which has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property, and the Mushigui Bell, one of the three most unusual bells in Japan. On New Year's Eve, the bell is rung to mark the new year, and the Shishi Kagura (lion dance) is performed.

Dates	December 31 - January 3
Location	Omura Shrine
Access by public transit	An approximately 10-minute walk from Aoyamacho Station on the Kintetsu Railway
車でのアクセス	An approximately 20-minute drive from Ueno-Higashi IC on the Meihan Expressway

Ring in the New Year atop Mt. Reizan. Feel free to bring your family or friends. Commemorative gifts and amazake are given out on the temple grounds.

Date	January 1
Location	Mt. Reizan
Access by Public Transit	An approximately 13-minute drive from JR Tsuge Station to the trail entrance at Reizanji Temple
Access by Car	An approximately 15-minute drive from Iga IC on the Meihan Expressway to the trail entrance at Reizanji Temple

Ring in the New Year with good health! Break a sweat to get your year off to a good start. From the starting point of Oyamada Hot Spring Resort Sarubino, participants can enjoy a walking course (2 km) or marathon courses (3.5 km or 5 km). After a good run, warm your body and soul with a soak in the hot spring baths. All participants receive prizes, and there is also a fun raffle.

Date	January 1
Location	Iga no Kuni Oyamada Hot Spring Resort Sarubino
Access by public transit	From Iga Railway Uenoshi Station, take the Mie Kotsu bus bound for Shirutsuke for approximately 54 minutes and get off at Oyamada Onsen
Access by car	・Approximately 20 minutes south of Minamizaike IC on the Meihan Expressway Prefectural Route ・Approximately 25 minutes west of Nakase IC on the Meihan Expressway

The Mochitsuki (Rice Cake Pounding) Festival is held next to the entrance of the hot spring bath building. Mochi rice cakes and amazake (sweet sake) are served as well.

Dates	January 1 - January 3
Location	Shimagahara Hot Spring Resort Yabutcha
Access by public transit	An approximately 25-minute walk from Iga-Kambe Station on the Iga Line of Iga Railway
Access by car	An approximately 60-minute drive west of Ise-Seki IC on the Higashi-Meihan Expressway

The Godai Myoo, a collection of five Buddhist statues designated as Important Cultural Property by the nation, can be viewed three times a year (January 1-3, April 3, and August 18). At the start of each new year, a Goma (Buddhist fire ritual) service is held to pray for the revealing of these principal images.

Dates	January 1 - January 3
Location	Jofukuji Temple
Access by public transit	Free shuttle bus service is available from Shimagahara Station on the JR Kansai Main Line
Access by car	An approximately 15-minute drive from Ouchi IC on the Meihan Expressway.