Taisei-ji Temple

Overview

Taisei-ji Temple, located in Takeo City, Saga Prefecture, is counted among Japan's three great Fudo Myoo temples. Established in 709 AD by Gyoki, it boasts a long history and tradition. Taisei-ji is particularly famous for its breathtaking hydrangeas, which bloom profusely from June to July, earning it the endearing nickname, "Hydrangea Temple." The temple grounds are ablaze with color, offering a truly beautiful sight. The temple also features numerous ancient trees designated as prefectural natural monuments, including a 500-year-old Podocarpus, offering a palpable sense of history. Among these, the ginkgo, Japanese yew, and maple trees, each over 300 years old, are particularly impressive. Taisei-ji houses numerous valuable treasures, including fusuma (sliding doors) paintings attributed to the Kano school and the Myoo Sword, a legendary blade with ties to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Legend says that when Hideyoshi gathered famous swords from Kyushu for his Korean campaign at the Nago Castle, this Myoo Sword emitted a strange light and unusual sounds each night, startling Hideyoshi so much that he returned it to Taisei-ji. The temple also features a Gosugi-do hall, a small shrine housed within the hollow of a giant cedar tree. This hall serves as a symbolic landmark of Taisei-ji and attracts many visitors. Taisei-ji is a highly recommended tourist spot, where history, nature, and faith harmoniously coexist. Visit Taisei-ji and immerse yourself in its rich natural beauty and historical significance throughout the year.