Ofusa Kannon The Temple of Roses and Wind Chimes

About Ofusa Kannon Temple

Ofusa Kannon Temple treats visitors to roses with a wide variety of colors, as well as other varieties of flowers that can be enjoyed all year round. The name of this temple originates from a local girl from the Edo period called Ofusa. Ofusa began worship of the Goddess Kannon (goddess of mercy and compassion) on this spot, and this eventually developed into the temple that exists today.
The temple took on its current form as a result of raising the flowers in its grounds with a desire to "provide visitors with spiritual consolation and invigoration." The temple is also known as the "flower mandala temple" due to its beautiful, flower-filled grounds that give it the appearance of Buddha's harmonious world. Ofusa Kannon Temple was not established by a person with power or special status from a past age, but was instead built and protected by common local people. And as a temple for a common peoples' faith, it continues to provide people with solace from daily worries and pains.

Admission

■ Main hall

The corridored main hall was built at the beginning of the Meiji period, and provides visitors with a distinct sense of history.
Beginning with the Jūichimen Kannon (eleven-faced goddess of mercy and compassion), the temple's principle object of worship, a variety of statues are worshipped including a Fudōmyouou (Cetaka) statue, a Senju Kannon (thousand-armed goddess of mercy and compassion) statue, an Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Tathagata) statue, and an En-no-Gyōja statue.

*Admission fee: 300 yen

■ Prayers

Prayers performed by the temple's Buddhist monks are available on request. Prayers are available for all kinds of wishes including protection against bad luck, good health, protection against traffic accidents, success in business, safety of one's family, good luck, academic improvement, safe births, and good partners.

*Fees charged for prayers

■ Ofusa Tearooms

The Ofusa Tearooms are tearooms located in the Ofusa Kannon Temple grounds. Built in 1915 in a palatial design, these tearooms provide an authentic Japanese atmosphere. Visitors can relax and enjoy views of the Japanese garden "Enkūtei" which changes throughout the year.

*Opening hours: 10 AM-4 PM (open daily except when stated otherwise)

Events

■ Rose festivals

Biannual events held in spring and autumn when the temple's roses are in full bloom. Visitors can view approximately 2,300 varieties grown in the temple grounds. Enjoy a relaxing, luxurious time by taking a stroll through the temple grounds surrounded by beautiful roses in full bloom and their wonderful fragrances.

*Dates: May 15-June 30 and October 19-November 30 every year, admission free

■ Wind chime festival

Wind chimes, one of the features of summer in Japan, are hung throughout the temple grounds allowing visitors to the temple to enjoy a pleasantly cool atmosphere. The refreshing tones of over 2,500 wind chimes sounding simultaneously in a summer breeze are beyond words. An exhibition and sale of the wind chimes around the country is also held.

*Dates: July 1-August 31 every year, admission free

■ Contemporary art exhibitions

Contemporary art exhibitions and other events are held at Ofusa Kannon Temple on a regular basis to help support young artists. (Please contact the temple for details regarding art exhibitions and related events.)

Temple details

■ Temple name

Kōyasan Shingonshū Bekkakuhonzan Kannonji (commonly known as Ofusa Kannon Temple)

■ Opening hours

7 AM-5 PM (admission possible until 4:30 PM)
*Open all year round

■ Admission fee

Free (300 yen admission fee charged to view the interior of the temple's main hall)

■ Location

6-22 Ousa-cho, Kashihara-shi, Nara Prefecture 634-0075
(Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from Yamatoyagi Station on the Kintetsu Osaka Line)
*Parking free of charge (parking for buses also available)

■ Contact details

Ofusa Kannon Temple
TEL: 0744-22-2212
FAX: 0744-25-3288