Rhododendron at Kouyaji Temple

Rhododendron at Kouyaji Temple

Rhododendron at Kouyaji Temple Koyaji Temple, which was established by Kukai, is famous for its shakunage (Rhododendron subg. Hymenanthes) flowers. The 300 year old shakunage bush is a magnificent sight to behold and every year in April a Shakunage Festival is held. During this festival, the local specialty, bamboo shoot lunch boxes, is sold. These are quite popular and limited in number, so we recommend getting in early. This temple is known as a temple for safe birth and fertility, however there is also a unique "Hachitaijizo" (8 jizo statues clustered together) which can free people of illness, misfortune and various other unwanted ties.

 


● Season: Best time of rhododendron / mid-April - beginning May

 

● Access:

From train station: 15-minute taxi ride from Takeo-Onsen Station on the JR Sasebo Line
Car: 10-minute drive on from Nagasaki Expressway Takeo-Kitagata IC along Route 34 toward Saga (find the signboard)
Bus: Get on Yutoku Bus traveling to Saga at Takeo-Onsen Station stop, get off at Kitagata Shisho Mae stop, and walk for 3 minutes


● Entry Fee: Free / 500 yen only during the Rhododendron Festival


● Parking Lot: Accommodates 50 cars (free of charge)


● Contacts:

Kouyaji Temple, Tel: +81-954-36-3616

Industrial Promotion Team, Division of City Development, Kitagata Branch Office, Takeo City Government, Tel: +81-954-36-6023

Map

  • Hi-res4K SAGA
  • SAGA TRAVEL CALL CENTER
  • Kyushu Expressway Pass
  • KYUSHU-SAGA International AIRPORT
  • Saga Trip Genius YouTube Channel
  • Saga Tourism Brochure