Yamagata Cycling: Goma Fire Ritual

Meet at the reception and receive your e-bike and rental helmet, then head outside to the courtyard to review basic safety maneuvers and movements like braking and U-turns.

The following points will be checked:
a. Can rider make a U-turn?
b. Can rider make a U-turn without putting their foot down?
c. Can rider make a U-turn without wobbling?
d. Is rider using brakes to control their speed?
e. Can rider come to a complete stop using only bicycle brakes (i.e., the rider is not using their feet to brake when coming to a stop)?
f. Can the rider come to a stop and set their feet down without losing their balance?
*Guests may be refused participation in the tour if cycling guide deems them to be having excessive difficulty executing the above-listed maneuvers.

Cycling the Yamagata outskirts- the temple where you will experience your goma fire ritual lies on the outskirts of Yamagata, a slight uphill journey from the city center.
Thanks to the e-bike’s assist function, climbing this slope will feel like a breeze. Pedaling at your own pace, take in the nature of Yamagata in comfort. If you find a view spot you are fond of, feel free to stop your bike along the side of the road and snap a photo.
The temple garden, exhibiting the beauty of the four seasons, is a must-see. After arriving, proceed to the hondo main hall to meet the head priest and hear a talk about the temple and the meaning of goma. Prepare for the goma ritual by making a gomagi prayer stick. There will also be time to use the restroom here before proceeding to the ritual hall.
Experience the world of esoteric Buddhism with a goma fire prayer ritual, followed by a conversation and Q&A session with the head priest (In the event that cycling to the temple takes longer than anticipated, conversation/Q&A session may be shortened). After the goma experience and conversation, return to Q1.