[Kashihara City] Autumn Rose and Lantern Festival 🌹 Enjoy the photogenic autumn at Ofusa Kannon Temple 🎶
Ofusa Kannon Temple in Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture, is currently hosting its "Lantern Festival" and "Autumn Rose Festival"! The temple grounds are adorned with over 2,000 colorful lanterns and approximately 4,000 roses of 3,800 varieties. 🌹
Ofusa Kannon Temple was founded in the Edo period. The temple grounds are surrounded by a pond called "Koigafuchi," where a Kannon statue riding a white turtle appeared. A small chapel was built in the pond and a Kannon shrine was built to honor the deity. 🐢
The person who encountered the Kannon statue at this time was none other than Ofusa. It's amazing that she, a local girl, is remembered in both the temple's name and the place's name! (Although the place name has been corrupted to "Ousa").)
This year's autumn roses are reportedly delayed in blooming due to the extreme heat, but as of October 27th, they are beginning to bloom in small numbers. Be sure to check the official account for the latest updates! ☝️
Lanterns are also lit up several times a month. This month's event has already ended, but next month's schedule should be announced soon, so keep an eye out for official information! 😌
Limited-edition goshuin stamps are also available during the event. I received a rose goshuin stamp and a double-page lantern goshuin stamp. I love the stamps and the character designs, too! 🥰
Admission to the main hall costs 500 yen, but this year, the temple treasure, the "Three Thousand Buddhas Maitreya Bodhisattva Hanging Scroll," is on display for the first time in 20 years! Even if you usually only stroll around the temple grounds, this is a great opportunity to visit the hall.
Also, the roads around the temple are very narrow, so if you're driving, it's safest to search for "Ofusa Kannon No. 2 Parking Lot" on your navigation system and head there. I sometimes see cars stuck there...😇
If the parking lot is full, ask the temple for nearby parking, or park in the paid parking lots near Unebi Station or Yamato-Yagi Station. Please refrain from waiting or parking on the side of the road, as it will cause inconvenience to the temple.☺️
Even though they've increased the number of days they're open to reduce crowds, it seems like a fair number of people still come on illumination days, so be careful if you're visiting by car.⚠️
It's not too far to walk from the nearest station, and the townscape along the highway is quite beautiful, so it's also nice to come by train and stroll around! You can stop by Yagi for a drink on the way home, which is great! 🍻
【 𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 】
🗓 [Lantern Festival] October 7th (Tuesday) - June 23rd (Tuesday)
🗓 [Rose Festival] October 19th (Sunday) - November 30th (Sunday)
📍 6-22 Kobusa-cho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture
🚶♀️ 10 minutes from JR Unebi Station
🚶♀️ 25 minutes from Kintetsu Yamato-Yagi Station
🕗 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (last entrance at 4:30 PM, nighttime viewing until 8:00 PM)
💴 Free admission to the temple grounds (¥500 for admission to the main hall)
🅿️ Available (use paid parking at Parking Lots 1, 2, and nearby locations)
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