Fuda Yakuoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Kamifuda, Togane City, Chiba Prefecture. An independent temple in the Hokke Buddhist tradition, it has the mountain name Furōzan and is formally known as Fuda Yakuoji.
The temple enshrines Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai, the Buddha of healing and medicine, as its principal object of worship. Locally known as “Fuda no Yakushi-san”, or “Yakushi of Fuda,” the temple has long been a place of prayer for people from both Chiba and other parts of Japan.
The history of Yakuoji is traditionally associated with Nichijō (Tomiki Jōnin), a monk of the Nichiren Buddhist tradition who lived during the Kamakura period.
The historical record Kazusa no Kuni-shi states that the temple was founded by Nichijō on February 8, 1616. According to tradition, Nichijō brought the temple’s principal object of worship, Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai, to the area. During the Kan’ei era, the temple’s second head priest, Nichien, is said to have enshrined the image.
During the Enkyō era in 1745, a fire destroyed historical records and treasured objects belonging to the temple. Yakuoji was subsequently rebuilt.
The temple was formerly affiliated with the Kempon Hokke school. In 1941, it joined with the Nichiren and Honmon schools to form what was known at the time as the New Nichiren School. After World War II, the temple once again became independent, continuing its Buddhist tradition as an independent temple.
One of Yakuoji’s most distinctive traditions is “Fuda no Megusuri,” a traditional medicinal preparation said to have been passed down since the Edo period.
According to temple tradition, the medicine was formulated by the temple’s third head priest, Nisshō, who was inspired by passages from the Lotus Sutra referring to a “good medicine” that can alleviate illness and protect people from suffering.
The preparation was traditionally made according to a secret formula handed down orally from one head priest to the next.
During World War II, the rights to the medicine were transferred to a controlled company. After the war, the 30th head priest of Yakuoji, Tomita Nichikaku, regained those rights.
In 1955, Chiba Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. established the Fuda Yakuoji factory. Today, the manufacturing method has been inherited by Saga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. in accordance with Japan’s pharmaceutical regulations, while the medicine continues to be sold at Yakuoji Temple.
Yakuoji hosts a variety of religious ceremonies and community events throughout the year. Two of the most notable occasions are the Kanbutsu-e in April and the Segaki Festival in September.
On April 8, Yakuoji celebrates Kanbutsu-e, the traditional ceremony commemorating the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha. The ceremony takes place around a beautifully decorated pavilion called a Hanamido, which is adorned with colorful flowers.
A small statue representing the infant Buddha is placed in a basin filled with sweet tea. Visitors use a ladle to pour the tea over the statue as part of the ceremony.
This custom is based on the Buddhist tradition that pure water descended from the heavens when the Buddha was born. In Japan, Kanbutsu-e is commonly known as Hanamatsuri, or the Flower Festival.
At Yakuoji, the celebration includes sweet-tea offerings by visitors, live musical performances, and free curry distributed to the first visitors. The cherry trees on the temple grounds are also often in bloom around this time, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The Segaki Festival is held annually on September 7 and 8. Segaki is a Buddhist memorial service in which offerings of food are made to beings believed to suffer in the realm of hungry ghosts.
Yakuoji’s Segaki Festival was once regarded as one of the largest such events in the Kanto region and attracted enormous crowds. Special trains once operated between Chiba Station and Hyuga Station, while the approximately 4-kilometer approach from the station to the temple was lined with hundreds of temporary stalls.
Entertainment stages and food stalls created a lively festival atmosphere throughout the area.
Although the festival is no longer as large as it was in the past, members of the local preservation association continue to organize fireworks and other events.
The fireworks launched at Yakuoji are particularly impressive because the temple is surrounded by mountains. The sound echoes through the surrounding landscape, creating a dramatic atmosphere for this popular early-autumn fireworks event.
Because Yakuoji is located on hilly terrain, differences in elevation once made it difficult for visitors with limited mobility to reach the main hall.
In 2015, the Ekan Bridge was completed, allowing visitors using wheelchairs to reach the main hall more easily.
In 2017, a staircase connecting the temple grounds with the bell tower at the top of the hill was also completed. The staircase is surrounded by seasonal flowers, making the journey itself an enjoyable part of the visit.
These improvements have made it possible for visitors of a wider range of ages and physical abilities to enjoy the temple grounds.
Yakuoji also plays an important role as a destination for Kangyō, a winter ascetic practice traditionally undertaken by monks of the Kempon Hokke school during the coldest part of the year.
For this reason, the temple serves not only as a place of worship but also as a site connected with Buddhist practice based on the teachings of the Lotus Sutra.
301 Kamifuda, Togane City, Chiba Prefecture
When traveling to Yakuoji by public transportation, visitors can use a bus or taxi from the nearest railway station. The temple is also conveniently accessible by car, and parking is available for visitors.
Fuda Yakuoji Temple is a historic place of worship where Buddhist faith, local traditions, and the natural beauty of Togane come together.
Known affectionately as “Fuda no Yakushi-san,” the temple has long been associated with worship of Yakushi Rurikō Nyorai, the Buddha of healing. Its distinctive tradition of Fuda no Megusuri, together with its annual Buddhist ceremonies and community events, gives the temple a character unlike ordinary sightseeing destinations.
The temple grounds also offer seasonal scenery, including cherry blossoms in spring, while the improved accessibility allows more visitors to explore the site comfortably.
For travelers interested in experiencing a quieter side of Japanese culture, Yakuoji provides an opportunity to step away from the bustle of everyday life and encounter the history, Buddhist traditions, local festivals, and peaceful natural surroundings of Togane.