Saidaiji Temple

4.0

About a 10-minute walk from the Saidaiji Station on the Ako Line, this temple is said to be established in 751 when Princess Fujiwarano Minataru of Kuga manor built a thatched hut in Kanaoka-no-go in which she placed a thousand-armed Kannon deity. Within the precinct are many things to see, such as the three-tier pagoda that is a prefectural Important Cultural Property, a Korean Bell that is a National Important Cultural Property, and the ushidama deities, which are a Tangible Cultural Property. Every year the Eyo - Hadaka Festival is held on the third Saturday of February, which is considered to be one of Japan's three unusual ritual festivals. Having its roots in the Nara period, during this festival brave male believers garbed only in loin clothes compete and scramble for a treasure stick in the main temple.

Spot details

Address: Okayama Pref. Okayamashi Higashi-ku Saidaijinaka 3-8-8 Map
Area: Okayama City / Around Korakuen Area
Phone: 0869422058
Hours: 8:30-17:00
Closed: open everyday
Fees: [Main hall worship] Adults 500 yen, Children 200 yen
* 100 yen discount for 10 people and above
Parking Lot: Available(70spaces)
※Temporary parking lot is Saidaiji Community Center
Credit Card: Not available
Smoking: Available
Wi-Fi: Not available
English Menu: Available(Kaiyo Chirashi)
Can be enjoyed even on a rainy day: Yes
Average budget: [Lunch] 1-1,000yen
Estimated stay time: 30-60 minutes
Wheelchair accessible: Available
Infant friendly: Available
Pet friendly: Possible (internal worship is not allowed *Guide dogs are allowed)

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

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Review

Over 500 years old winter festival

Reviewed : 2019.03.02

Went to Saidaiji in the morning partly to check the place out before the festival in the evening and also to collect the previously reserved ¥5,000 ring side seat ticket from Saidaiji office of...
Peaceful at this time of year

Reviewed : 2015.11.19

A 20-minute train ride from Okayama station and a kilometre flat walk from Saidaiji station, we found this famous temple almost deserted late morning. It was hard to imagine it thronged with...
会陽で名高い

Reviewed : 2022.01.22

吉井川畔に堂宇が集まり、五福通りと呼ばれるそこそこ立派な門前町が形成されています。境内はあまり起伏もなく、植栽等で区画を仕切っていないため広々とした感じです。観覧席が常設されていますが、会陽（裸祭り）の観覧者に向けたものでしょうか？本来ならば訪れた日の前日が祭のフィナーレだったはずですが、本年は規模を縮小して関係者のみで執り行われたようですね。