Visit Oita

At Fukouji Temple, fondly referred to as the "Hydrangea Temple," over 3,000 hydrangea bushes bloom from mid-June to mid-July each year, creating a spectacular display. The highlight of the season is the Hydrangea Festival, held in mid-June, which draws numerous visitors. Rainy days enhance the vivid colors of the flowers, wrapping the temple grounds in a mystical and serene atmosphere.
The festival features local specialties and handmade Japanese sweets for sale, alongside various events, including kagura performances – a traditional art combining theater and dance – and live music, ensuring an engaging experience for all visitors.
One of the main attractions is the temple's magaibutsu, colossal rock-carved Buddha statues, which are among the largest of their kind in Japan. Passing through Fukouji’s temple gate reveals these massive stone carvings, leaving visitors awestruck by their grandeur and spiritual aura.