Ishiyama-dera Temple Ao-oni Festival

A festival to reflect on the posthumous influence of the Buddhist priest Rocho Risshi, who vowed to drive away demons and usher in good fortune, this festival is held at Ishiyama-dera Temple, which has a 1,200-year history and tradition as one of the 33 Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage temples. In front of the temple gates stands a giant, five-meter-tall statue of an ao-oni (green demon) made of cedar branches. Legend has it that roughly 800 years ago, following the death of Rocho Risshi, the forefather of the restoration of Ishiyama-dera Temple, the priest transformed into a green demon and swore to the people that he would cast out evil spirits and help usher in good fortune. Every year on the third Sunday in May, the closest date to the anniversary of his death, a Buddhist service is held, and the temple’s priests don green demon masks in a sacred dance in reverence of Rocho Risshi’s passing.
Photo provided by Biwako Visitors Bureau

[Date/time] 3rd Sunday of every May; 9:30-10:30
[Fee] Free
[Access] Bus from Ishiyama Station on the JR Biwako Line, and a 30 min. walk from the Ishiyamadera Sammon-mae bus stop