Dairyoji Temple

Located on the border between Gifu City and Yamagata City, this Zen temple enshrines the Kannon Bodhisattva of Childbirth and Safe Delivery, which was commissioned by Emperor Go-Shirakawa. It's famously known as "The Temple of Prayer Daruma" for distributing prayer Daruma dolls.

Within the temple grounds stands a 5-meter tall statue of Daruma Daishi, and every mid-January, the temple conducts a "Daruma Offering" ceremony where Daruma dolls, whose prayers have been fulfilled, are offered and burnt in a ritual. The offered Darumas are piled high and ignited with a bamboo torch known as "Fuku-take." Spectators can witness the Daruma being thrown into the flames as part of the offering ritual.

Additionally, the temple is renowned as a spot for Dodan-tsutsuji (Enkianthus perulatus), with approximately 1,200 plants cultivated in the temple garden and the mountain behind it. The gardens are open to the public every spring and autumn, dazzling visitors with white blossoms in spring and vibrant red foliage in autumn.

The temple also has connections to Inaba Ittetsu, a leading figure among the "Mino Three," and houses many of his relics.