最福寺, Buddhist temple in Kagoshima, Japan
Saifukuji is a Buddhist temple in Kagoshima housing a wooden statue of the goddess Benzaiten measuring over 18 meters (59 feet), which stands inside the Shion Hall. The grounds extend across several buildings and include shrines, prayer areas and gardens that together form a quiet retreat from city life.
The temple was founded over 500 years ago during the Muromachi period, when religious movements like Shugendo were taking root in the region. Its spiritual practices have been passed down through generations of priest lineages, connecting the shrine to its medieval origins.
The name Kiyoike Ugabenzaiten reflects the pond that once shaped the site, carrying a spiritual meaning that persists today. Visitors can witness goma fire ceremonies between 12:30 and 14:00, where priests burn wooden prayer sticks while chanting ritual blessings.
The grounds are open daily from 9:00 to 17:00 and can be reached in roughly 10 minutes by car from Hirakawa Station on the Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line. Sturdy footwear helps on the gravel paths between buildings, and visitors should allow time to walk around the entire site.
Locals affectionately call the statue Mother Benzaiten, expressing the close bond between the shrine and the community. The wooden figure ranks among the tallest of its kind in Japan, dominating the Shion Hall with its presence.
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