A variety of cherry trees, including a “rock-breaking cherry tree” growing out of a crack in a huge rock (designated as a commemorative protected tree of Hokkaido), Sargent, Yoshino, weeping, double-flowered, Gioiko and Shogetsu, blossom over a long period of time.
Azalea viewing season
Mid-May
In addition to the famous large Yodogawa azalea tree at the back of the reception hall, there are many different azalea varieties in the temple’s precincts.
Hydrangea viewing season
Mid-July – early August
Hundreds of colorful hydrangeas are in full bloom.
Autumn leaf viewing season
Late October
Leaves of trees, including the large gingko tree designated as a commemorative protected tree of Hokkaido, turn to bright yellow.
Zenkoji Temple Nature Park
Hundreds of cherry trees, Gioiko, dogtooth violet, azalea and other seasonal flowers, Mongolian oak, Kashiwa oak, yew, gingko and other trees, the lawn area and other features can be enjoyed from late April.
Year of Usu Zenkoji Temple
Date
Event
January
1
Gancho mairi (New Year’s visit)
Visit Zenkoji to make wishes for the coming year. A variety of charms, paper fortunes, rakes, prayer beads and other items are sold.
This is an event in which anyone can participate.
February
3
Setsubun festival to pray for protection from evil
Zenkoji accepts requests from people in their yakudoshi (unlucky years) and toshiotoko/toshionna (men/women born in a year with the same Chinese zodiac sign as the current year) for prayers at Setsubun festival, which is an important event to ward off evil and misfortune and bring good luck. On the day of the festival, participants wear traditional hakama and, following the parade, bell striking and prayer for protection from evil are conducted in the main hall and lucky beans are scattered from the main hall.
The participation of many people, regardless of their Chinese zodiac sign, is welcome in this event to bring good luck and fortune. There is also a lottery where you might win a luxurious prize.
This is an event in which anyone can participate.
Fee for prayer for protection from evil: 5,000 yen
Fee for other prayers: starting from 1,000 yen
April
８
Spring Dragon Deity Festival
This prayer festival is held in the Ryujin-do (Dragon Hall) in the temple’s precincts on the 8th day of April and November every year. Participants give thanks and prayers to the dragon deity, who is the god of water and protects Buddhist teachings and the local land. Applications for prayers are accepted. This event is open to anyone.
Memorial service from 14:00 Prayer fee: 2,000 yen
July
23 – 24
Jizoson ceremony
This is a memorial service/ceremony held at the Usu Jizo-do Hall for two days every year. After the memorial service in Jizo-do, participants pray for the repose of souls by floating candle-lit paper lanterns on the Usu Bay right in front of the temple, followed by fireworks. On the next day, a stupa-offering memorial service is held. Since the service is held close to the Bon holiday, applications for Bon festival services on the same day are also welcome. Stage performances and a lottery with luxurious prizes will also take place in the theater in the precincts of Jizo-do.
This is an event in which anyone can participate.
July 23 Jizobon memorial service (lantern floating service) from 18:00
Beach memorial service from around 19:00
Lantern floating and fireworks to follow
July 24 Jizobon memorial service (stupa-offering service) from 10:00/13:00
Stage performances from 18:00
Lottery with luxurious prizes to follow
Fee for lantern floating service 1,000 yen per deceased person
Fee for stupa-offering service 700 yen per deceased person
August
Urabon-e (memorial service for the souls of ancestors)
Approximately 1,000 hydrangeas welcome visitors at the time of the Bon festival in August. Please come visit us.
August
28
Toya Nakajima Kannon Benten Prayer Festival
This is the only memorial service where Enku’s Buddhist statue (tangible cultural property of Hokkaido) is exhibited to the public. The Kannon Benten Prayer Festival is held every year at the Kannon-do and Benten-do on the Nakajima islands of Lake Toya. Your participation is welcome.
This is an event in which anyone can participate.
September
17
Koboro Iwaya Kannon Festival
This annual festival to pray to the Kannon goddess is held in a cave at Koboro in Toyoura Town, associated with Buddhist monk and master sculptor Enku. Please come and visit the site.
This is an event in which anyone can participate.
September
22 – 24
Autumnal Equinox Day Segaki-e service for the benefit of suffering spirits
This is the only memorial service where the Amida Buddha statue, which was dedicated to the temple by Teiden, chief priest of Tsugaru Hongakuji Temple in 1716, is shown to the public. Please be sure to participate in this important service.
This is an event in which anyone can participate.
Higan-e (Buddhist service performed during the equinoctial week)
Starting time: 16:00 on Sept. 22 and 10:00, 13:30 and 16:00 on Sept. 23
Fee for stupa-offering service 700 yen
Thirty-three Kannon Pilgrimage (walk through the mountain)
8:30 on Sept. 23
Segaki-e (service for the benefit of suffering spirits)
Starting time: 10:00 on Sept. 24
Fee for service 1,000 yen (incl. a souvenir)
October
20
Juya Nenbutsu-e (ten-night chanting)
In this event held jointly with temples of the Muroran group of the Jodo-shu (Pure Land Sect), all participants beat mokugyo (fish-shaped wooden drums) and chant invocations.
This is an event in which anyone can participate.
November
8
Autumn Festival to pray to the dragon deity
This is a prayer festival held in the Ryujin-do in the temple’s precincts on the 8th day of April and November every year. Participants thank and pray to the dragon deity, who is the god of water and protects Buddhist teachings and the local land.
This is an event in which anyone can participate.
Applications for prayers are accepted.
December
31
Bell on New Year’s Eve
Visitors can strike the bell on New Year’s Eve between midnight and 1:00 a.m. Amazake (sweet drink made from fermented rice) is also served (service ends when it runs out).
This is an event in which anyone can participate.
Charms, paper fortunes, rakes and other items are sold.
Regular events
Zenkoji chanting sessions
Goeika, which are Buddhist hymns expressing the teachings of Jodo-shu (Pure Land Sect), are chanted. Participants practice to prepare for the dedication of the hymns to events and memorial services. This is an event in which anyone can participate. Please contact the temple for details.
Sutra copying sessions
Planning for the holding of sutra copying sessions is currently under way. These “easy” and “simple” sutra copying sessions will be held concurrently with Higan-e, Segaki-e and other events.
