Thank you for starting your year with a visit to Koboji Shingon Mission!
We welcome you to offer your prayers of appreciation for the countless blessings that we have received from Kobo Daishi's healing and compassion.

New Year's Schedule & Information

Information is subject to change. Please check back before your visit.
Midnight Service (Shusho-e) on December 31
  • Wednesday, December 31, 2025: 11:30pm - 12:30am

New Years Blessings will be held from January 1 to 3
No reservations are required for blessings during the following times. All are welcome to enter the temple hall and to offer prayers. You do not need to be a member to offer prayers or to request a blessing.
  • Thursday, January 1, 2026: 12:30am - 4am
  • Thursday, January 1, 2026: 6am - 2pm
  • Friday, January 2, 2026: 6am - 2pm
  • Saturday, January 3, 2026: 6am - 2pm​

Opening Service with Goma Fire Rite
  • Sunday, January 4, 2026: 9:00am
    Everyone attending this service will receive a special blessing and participate in the Goma Fire Rite. Attendees can receive a wooden prayer stick called goma-gi for their prayer request. Each goma-gi is a $3 donation. Requests will be prayed for during the Goma Fire Rite. Please arrive early to collect your goma-gi​ and prepare for the service.

What to Expect

  1. Ample free parking is available in Koboji’s parking lot, which can be accessed from Loʻi Kalo Lane. Loʻi Kalo Lane is immediately east (Diamond Head side) of Mexico Restaurant on School Street. Pedestrian access is also available from School Street.
  2. ​Once you arrive, please proceed to the choba (reception desk). You may deposit old omamori if you wish. First-time visitors are welcome to consult with a volunteer at the choba with any questions.
  3. Next, purify yourself at the ritual wash basin, then offer senkō (incense) and osaisen (coin offering) to the deities in the downstairs hall. Afterward, proceed upstairs to the temple hall. During public blessings, shoes may remain on, but please remove hats before entering.
  4. A minister will greet you for your individual New Year’s blessing. Please place your hands together in prayer and bow your head while the priest chants Shingon sutras and uses ritual implements in a kaji blessing, a prayer that unifies you with universal wisdom and the deities.
  5. After the short blessing, you may return to the downstairs hall to receive your omamori, house ofuda, omikuji, and ema.
  6. If you or someone in your party is unable to climb the temple steps, please inform the choba volunteers. A minister will be happy to perform the blessing downstairs.
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New Year's Blessing at Koboji with Shingon sutras and ritual implements

Omamori

Omamori will be available downstairs at Koboji from January 1-3, with a special layout designed to make it easy for members to find the perfect omamori for the new year. We encourage everyone to visit during this time to receive these blessed charms, which carry wishes for health, safety, or prosperity.
These omamori are available year-round in the hondo, so you’re always welcome to come by the temple to receive them. Each charm is blessed in a long prayer on December 31, instilling them with protection and positive energy.
Some of the new omamori are available in limited quantities, so be sure to come early to explore and choose one that resonates with your hopes and intentions for the year ahead.
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Please, cash or check only.
Personal Hoshi Omamori
Personalized omamori may be requested until mid-January.  These annual omamori are refreshed each year based on the position of the stars according to nine heavenly stars in Shingon Buddhist astrology.  Forms were mailed to members and are available at Koboji during the New Year's period.
These personalized omamori are carefully handwritten with the requestor's name, age, zodiac, and star. The omamori are then blessed in the goma fire of the Hoshi Matsuri (Star Festival) service held in February. Because these omamori must be blessed in the fire, they are not available for pickup or mail until after the Hoshi Matsuri (Star Festival) service.

Private New Year Blessings & Blessings At-Home

Private New Year blessings for individuals and families are available beginning January 4 through the end of February. These blessings are typically scheduled for 30 minutes.
During the service, the minister recites specific mantras and prayers tailored to the individuals in attendance. These private blessings offer a quieter setting for more personalized prayers.
For those who are unable to visit the temple, Rev. Miyagi is available to visit members and friends at home upon request.

Private blessings may be requested by: Due to the high volume of requests during the New Year period, online scheduling is not available at this time.

Volunteers

The first visit to the temple in the New Year is a tradition for many local families. If you would like to volunteer your time to make this a memorable experience for our many guests, please contact Rev. Bryan in the temple office. There are indoor and outdoor volunteer opportunities, including:
  • Parking and Access Control
  • Choba and Check In
  • Omamori Distribution and Preparation
  • Ministers' Greeters and Assistants

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