Letter Pilgrimage
Letter Pilgrimage:
Letters that deliver
your feelings.
No matter when or where you write it, a letter penned for someone special transcends time and place to convey your feelings
This includes letters adressed to those loved ones whom you may no longer be able to meet. Those letters are collected through Tegami-dera Post and ritually burned (otakiage). There are no rules regarding how often, how much, or what you can write about. If you’re lonely or confused, moments of resolution, emotional turmoil, feelings of gratitude or everday happenings, anything goes. By writing to those special to you, you might discover that your heart’s true feelings become clearer. Even from afar, a letter can transform into a pilgramage that transcends time and space, delivering your feelings to someone special.
Flow of Letter Pilgrimage
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1
Write Your Letter
Write a letter to the person you wish you convey your feelings to. Feel free to use your favorite stationary or the designated Letter Pilgramage Kit
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2
Send to Tegami-dera
Mail your letter via a postal box, or drop it into a T-Post located at Tegami-dera.
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3
Ritual Burning (Otakiage)
Letters received by Tegami-dera will undergo a ritual burning.
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4
To Your Special Someone
Tegami-dera will deliver your heartfelt thoughts to your special someone.
Once written, simply drop your letter into a post box. At Tegami-dera, we have T-Posts, dedicated solely for Letter Pilgrimage.
The beauty of a letter is that you can write it anywhere. From words of gratitude to retellings of everyday moments, let your feelings pour out of you as they come to mind. T-Post (Dedicated Post Box for Letter Pilgrimage)
All letters received by Tegami-dera are delivered via ritual burning.(Otakiage)
We accept any type of stationery.
All letters received by Tegamidera are kept sealed, and will be burnt ritually (otakiage) by a monk.
This ceremony takes place every last Sunday of the month at 3:30 PM at Tegamidera Funabashi.
We can also read aloud the names of the senders during the Otakiage ceremony.
Write your letters while reflecting on your thoughts at Tegami-dokoro, our dedicated space for the Letter Pilgrimage which is always open for you.
A calm and quiet place, you can focus on what you want to say to your loved ones, and once you’ve finished writing we can take care of it right there.
How to Participate in the Letter Pilgrimage
Using Your Own Stationary
Simply attach a stamp to your envelope or postcard and send your letter to the address below.
If you purchase and use the “Letter Pilgrimage Kit,” the included envelopes are postage-paid, so you don’t need to add a stamp.
Upon arrival at Tegami-dera, we will take full responsibility for performing the ritual burning (otakiage) of your letter.
Mailing Address: T-Post, Tegami-dokoro (Tegamidera Funabashi) 1306 Oganeho-cho,
Funabashi-shi, Chiba 274-0082 Japan
Using Our Letter Pilgrimage Kit
Letter Pilgrimage Kit
This letter set includes a message card that gently encourages you to write.
You can use this kit without attaching a stamp.
※ For “Letter Pilgrimage,” we also offer a service where a monk will read aloud the name of your special someone during the ritual burning (otakiage).
If you wish for this service, please apply separately via the link provided below.
【Kit Contents】
・Letter paper: 3 sheets
・Envelope (postage paid): 1
・Card: 1
・Instruction manual: 2 sheets
Online Letter Pilgrimage
You can now participate in Letter Pilgrimage online, without needing to visit a physical location.
Please send the feelings you wish to convey through the dedicated Letter Pilgrimage form on the Tegami-dera website.
Tegami-dera will then print your message onto letter paper and perform the ritual burning (otakiage).
