Rakanji Temple: A Mountainside Sanctuary of Stone Buddhas
Discover Rakanji Temple in Nakatsu: a mountainside sanctuary with thousands of Buddha statues, rich history, and breathtaking views.
Nestled in the cliffs of Mt. Rakan, Rakanji Temple is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple famed for its thousands of stone Buddha statues and stunning natural setting. Founded in 1337, it offers a unique blend of spiritual history and scenic beauty in Nakatsu, Oita.
A brief summary to Rakanji Temple
- 1519 Honyabakeimachi Atoda, Nakatsu, Honyabakeimachi Atoda, Oita, 871-0311, JP
- +81979-52-2538
- Visit website
- Monday 9 am-5 pm
- Tuesday 9 am-5 pm
- Wednesday 9 am-5 pm
- Thursday 9 am-5 pm
- Friday 9 am-5 pm
- Saturday 9 am-5 pm
- Sunday 9 am-5 pm
Local tips
- Take the chairlift up to the temple for a scenic and less strenuous ascent.
- Visit during the autumn months to witness the vibrant fall foliage.
- Explore the Murokutsu Cave to see the unique expressions of the 500 Rakan statues.
Getting There
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Bus
From Nakatsu Station, take a bus towards Yabakei. Get off at the Nakashima bus stop. From there, it's approximately a 1.7km walk to the base of Rakanji Temple. A community bus operates a few times a day between Nakashima and Rakanji on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Bus fare from Nakatsu Station to Nakashima is around ¥800.
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Car
From Nakatsu, follow Route 212 towards Yabakei Gorge. Pass through the Aonodomon Tunnel and turn right at the first traffic light onto Route 500. After 1.7km, turn left onto Route 629. Free parking is available at Rakanji Temple.
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Chairlift
Once at the base of Mt. Rakan, you can ascend to Rakanji Temple via a scenic chairlift. A round trip ticket costs ¥700 for adults and ¥350 for elementary school students.
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