Temples across Japan offering the cucumber blessing
Kyuri kaji, the cucumber blessing, is a summer prayer in which illness is sealed into a cucumber as one prays for good health. Also called kyuri fūji, it has been performed at temples in many regions around the summer doyō, the hottest time of the year. It is carried on not only at esoteric Buddhist temples but also as part of local faith and seasonal custom. In recent years it has also been held at temples in Hawaii.
This is a list of temples across Japan, of every Buddhist school, that perform the cucumber blessing. Byodoji accepts applications for its cucumber blessing both in person and online.
The list includes temples where we could confirm that the cucumber blessing (kyuri kaji or kyuri fūji) is performed. Our sources were temple websites and official blogs, local governments and tourism associations, regional newspapers, and information sent to us by temples and people connected with them. Temples write the name in different ways, such as kyuri, kiuri, 胡瓜, 瓜, 黄瓜, or 木瓜, but all refer to the same cucumber blessing. The table gives each temple's name for the rite as the temple writes it.
On the fourth Sunday of July at 11 a.m., the Sapporo branch temple performs a homa to the principal image Yakushi Nyorai, a cucumber blessing, and a prayer to ward off dementia.
淨徳寺Minami-ku, Sapporo
On its official kyuri fūji page, the temple explains that it solemnly performs this rite every year as a secret method handed down from Tang China by Kōbō Daishi. Timed to the midsummer Ox day (Doyō no Ushi) in July, the Fudō homa begins at 11 a.m., performed together with hōroku moxibustion.
遍照院Hanamaki, Iwate
Its official Instagram confirms a second round of kyuri fūji and hōroku moxibustion prayer. The official website confirms the Shingon-school Henjōin and its location.
浄聖院Date, Fukushima
The official website confirms a Gozu Tennō kyuri fūji, a rite tied to faith in Gozu Tennō and Yakushi Nyorai, praying for bodily health, recovery from illness, and the repelling of epidemics.
波切不動寺Ishioka, Ibaraki
A cucumber blessing during the summer doyō. Prayers for healing from illness, good health, and bodily well-being.
牛久 真浄寺Ushiku, Ibaraki
A cucumber blessing for sealing away illness.
神崎寺Kōzaki, Chiba
On August 21, the festival day of O-Daishi-sama, a cucumber blessing and hōroku moxibustion are performed.
深川不動堂Kōtō-ku, Tokyo
A cucumber blessing during the doyō period. The temple writes it with the characters 久離 (read kyuri) and offers prayers for healing from illness, bodily health, and good health.
辯天宗東京別院Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
The application desk for a cucumber blessing held for the five days from the start of doyō.
岐阜善光寺Gifu
A kyuri fūji on Marine Day in July. The cucumber is treated as a substitute for the body, with prayers for healing from illness and for health.
栖足寺Kawazu, Shizuoka
A kyuri fūji connected to the legend of the kappa (water sprite).
鏡光山 応賀寺Kosai, Shizuoka
Presented as a secret method of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism, traced to the tale of Kōbō Daishi sealing an epidemic into a cucumber.
頭陀寺Hamamatsu, Shizuoka
A kyuri fūji pit on the temple grounds. The rite of sealing away evil influences and the roots of illness into a cucumber, treated as a substitute for the body, together with an ofuda amulet, is explained.
西山寺Makinohara, Shizuoka
The annual calendar lists a cucumber blessing on July 8. It is explained as a secret method of O-Daishi-sama, praying for health through the cucumber and sealing away various illnesses.
大日山 金剛院Mori, Shūchi District, Shizuoka
Dainichizan Kongōin, whose principal image is Dainichi Nyorai. Located in Mikura, Mori-machi, Shūchi District, Shizuoka.
高徳院Toyoake, Aichi
A cucumber blessing prayer service on Doyō no Ushi day. Worshippers rub the cucumber over the ailing part of the body and bring it along.
船形山 普門寺Toyohashi, Aichi
Hōroku moxibustion and a cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day and Marine Day. Prayers to prevent summer ailments and for good health.
大師寺Yokkaichi, Mie
A kyuri fūji using cucumbers on Doyō no Ushi day. The temple describes itself as having about 100 years of history. Prayers for good health.
一心寺Yokkaichi, Mie
The official annual calendar lists a cucumber blessing on the first Sunday of August. It is explained as a rite in which illness and misfortune are sealed into a cucumber, with prayers for healing from various illnesses and for soundness of body and mind.
泰平山 府南寺Suzuka, Mie
The annual calendar lists a cucumber-sealing prayer on Doyō no Ushi day. Also confirmed on the Mie Shikoku 88 Sacred Sites circuit.
宝生山 弘法院Kameyama, Mie
Site No. 27 of the Mie Shikoku 88 Sacred Sites. As an annual event, a kyuri fūji for various illnesses is performed on the first Ox day of the July doyō.
雨華山 観音院 正福寺Iga, Mie
Site No. 35 of the Mie Shikoku 88 Sacred Sites. As a temple of the Shingon Buzan school, it lists a misfortune-averting kyuri fūji on July 8.
馬寶山 初馬寺Tsu, Mie
A cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day. Cucumbers are used, and the temple writes the name as 木瓜加持, reading 木瓜 as kyuri. Prayers for healing from various illnesses and for health and longevity.
林泉山 長楽寺Nabari, Mie
An annual kyuri fūji gathering on Marine Day in July. Morning and afternoon start times are announced.
朏實山 不空院 大福寺Nabari, Mie
Site No. 44 of the Mie Shikoku 88 Sacred Sites. As a temple of the Kōyasan Shingon school, it lists a misfortune-averting kyuri fūji prayer on Doyō no Ushi day in July.
紫雲山 慈唱院Nabari, Mie
A cucumber blessing during the summer doyō. A prayer in which illness, misfortune, and bad habits are sealed into a cucumber and returned to the earth.
潮音山 太江寺Ise, Mie
The Kōbō Daishi kyuri fūji on June 15. Illness-causing forces are sealed into a cucumber, which is buried in the ground with prayers for healing from illness.
明王寺Ise, Mie
The announcement page confirms a cucumber-sealing homa prayer during the summer doyō. It introduces a prayer using a cucumber to seal away illness-causing forces and evil influences.
縁城寺Kyōtango, Kyoto
Tourism information confirms a cucumber prayer and a kyuri kaji for sealing away various illnesses, held around Doyō no Ushi in July.
羅漢山 宝住寺Ayabe, Kyoto
The kyuri fūji Yakushi grand festival. Prayers for good health and for the fulfillment of all wishes.
神光院Kita-ku, Kyoto
Kyuri fūji. Held on July 21 and on Doyō no Ushi day.
三寳寺Ukyō-ku, Kyoto
At the Doyō no Ushi prayer service, a kyuri fūji is performed together with hōroku moxibustion.
五智山蓮華寺Ukyō-ku, Kyoto
A kyuri fūji on Doyō no Ushi day. Confirmed as a summer event in Kyoto.
東陽山 巖松院Ujitawara, Kyoto
As a kyuri fūji handed down by Kōbō Daishi, prayers for healing from illness and for bodily health are offered on Doyō no Ushi day during the summer doyō.
辯天宗 冥應寺Ibaraki, Osaka
A cucumber blessing held from the start of doyō.
總持寺Ibaraki, Osaka
Site No. 22 of the Saikoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. At the July cucumber blessing gathering, prayers are offered for healing from illness and for the sealing away of misfortune.
大聖山 不動寺Toyonaka, Osaka
The official annual calendar lists the Hassaku cucumber blessing (illness-sealing) on August 1. It is explained as a ritual prayer, practiced since the Heian period, in which summer ailments such as skin diseases are sealed into cucumbers and eggplants.
豊中不動尊Toyonaka, Osaka
A cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day. An ofuda amulet is offered with prayers to drive off illness-causing forces.
佐井寺Suita, Osaka
On Doyō no Ushi day, a rite at the Yakushi hall sealing epidemic deities and evil spirits into a cucumber.
帝善院Ikuno-ku, Osaka
A temple-information database lists a July cucumber blessing as an annual event of this Shingon temple.
龍谷山 水間寺Kaizuka, Osaka
A cucumber blessing prayer on Doyō no Ushi day, sealing away epidemics and misfortune.
犬鳴山七宝瀧寺Izumisano, Osaka
An illness-sealing cucumber blessing. Prayers for good health through the summer.
瑠璃寺Sayō, Hyōgo
A kyuri fūji on Doyō no Ushi day. Confirmed through temple information and video.
高雄山 福圓寺Sayō, Hyōgo
A kyuri fūji on the fourth Sunday of July. It is explained that illness, misfortune, and bad habits are sealed into a cucumber and buried in the ground.
童子山 不動院Nishiwaki, Hyōgo
The temple holds a customary summer prayer, the kyuri kaji service. It is located at 378-1 Nishiwaki, Nishiwaki.
大照寺Sumoto, Hyōgo
A kyuri kaji prayer festival on Doyō no Ushi day. Confirmed through the Awaji Island Tourism Association's announcement.
寳國寺Gose, Nara
Temple information from Gose lists a July 21 cucumber blessing as an annual event.
辯天宗 如意寺Gojō, Nara
A cucumber blessing held from the start of doyō.
犬飼山転法輪寺Gojō, Nara
Nagoshi no Harae summer purification and a cucumber blessing.
覚王山 妙宣寺Wakayama, Wakayama
It presents the "jifūji and kiuri fūji" as a secret method continuing for more than 500 years. The schedule for the Reiwa 7 (2025) kiuri fūji is also posted.
妙楽寺Hashimoto, Wakayama
Local reporting covers a cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day.
童楽寺Katsuragi, Wakayama
The official annual calendar lists a cucumber blessing service from the latter half of July.
救馬溪観音Kamitonda, Wakayama
A kyuri fūji during the July doyō period. Presented as a special prayer festival for healing from illness, a secret tradition of Kōbō Daishi.
平田普賢院Izumo, Shimane
Fugen'in, of the Kōyasan Shingon school, in Takudanichō, Izumo. It performs a cucumber blessing.
成田山 西南院Kita-ku, Okayama
The official annual calendar lists a kyuri fūji and a kyuri fūji for various illnesses on Doyō no Ushi day in the July summer doyō. Confirmed as a temple of the Shingon Sennyūji school.
霊山寺Mimasaka, Okayama
The official Mimasaka 88 Sacred Sites site lists a kyuri fūji homa prayer in mid-July as an annual event.
眞福寺Tsuyama, Okayama
A Tsuyama-area local information site lists a cucumber blessing and a sealing of various illnesses on Doyō no Ushi day as an annual event.
医王山 薬師院 長雲寺Tsuyama, Okayama
A Tsuyama-area local information site lists a kyuri kaji (with various illnesses sealed in) on Doyō no Ushi day in the summer doyō as an annual event. The information was provided by Chōunji.
石山寺Tsuyama, Okayama
A solemnly performed kyuri fūji for various illnesses. On Doyō no Ushi day, prayers are offered for good health and healing from illness.
普照山 慈雲寺Bizen, Okayama
Ōtabu Jiunji holds a kyuri kaji service. The temple is located at 316-3 Ōtabu, Hinasechō, Bizen.
駕龍寺Kurashiki, Okayama
A cucumber blessing prayer service on Doyō no Ushi day. Prayers for healing from current illness and for bodily health.
弘元寺Fukuyama, Hiroshima
A homa prayer from 10 a.m. on Doyō no Ushi day in the summer doyō. A prayer sealing illness, evil things, and troubles into a cucumber.
観現寺Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima
The cucumber blessing at Saijō Shōten. One cucumber for each wish.
龍玄精舎Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima
A kyuri fūji on Doyō no Ushi day in July. Presented as a secret method for sealing away illness, handed down from Kōbō Daishi Kūkai.
西國寺Onomichi, Hiroshima
A Tanabata kyuri fūji prayer service on the first Sunday of July. The temple presents itself as a sacred site of Kōbō Daishi and a temple of kaji prayer.
光妙院Ōtake, Hiroshima
The annual events on the temple's introductory page list a kyuri fūji on Doyō no Ushi day in July. Introduced as a temple of the Shingon Daigo school.
観音寺Kure, Hiroshima
The official website confirms a cucumber blessing and kyuri fūji for various illnesses in July. The announcement explains it as a secret method sealing epidemics and misfortune into a cucumber.
正観寺Fuchū, Hiroshima
The official annual calendar lists a cucumber blessing prayer held at the Jizō festival on the fourth Sunday of October, together with a homa offering service and a segaki memorial offering.
薬王寺Yanai, Yamaguchi
A temple of the Kōyasan Shingon school. The annual events on its official website list a cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day, for which advance application is required.
神護寺Hirao, Yamaguchi
The official annual schedule and event details list a cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day. It is explained as a secret rite performed by Kōbō Daishi Kūkai.
あかい坊Kudamatsu, Yamaguchi
The official event schedule lists a cucumber blessing. Local reporting introduces it as a prayer on Doyō no Ushi day for sealing away various illnesses and for the health of the household.
修禅寺Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi
A cucumber blessing. A hole is bored with a single-pronged vajra (tokkosho), and an ofuda amulet is placed inside as a prayer is offered.
箸蔵寺Miyoshi, Tokushima
A cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day. An ofuda is placed inside the cucumber as a prayer to seal away illness.
長善寺Higashimiyoshi, Tokushima
Its official social media announces a cucumber blessing for which worshippers bring their own cucumber.
加茂不動院Higashimiyoshi, Tokushima
The temple holds a prayer, said to have come down from Kōbō Daishi Kūkai, for healing from illness, averting misfortune, and sealing away bad habits.
堀越寺Komatsushima, Tokushima
A cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day. Each person brings one cucumber and prays for the sealing away of various illnesses.
平等寺Anan, Tokushima
Site No. 22 of the Shikoku 88 Sacred Sites. Cucumber blessings are accepted both for on-site visits and online.
善修寺Anan, Tokushima
A cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day. A prayer held every year at Zenshūji in Aratanochō, Anan.
子安観音寺Tonoshō, Kagawa
A kyuri kaji prayer during the doyō period in July, held at Yama-no-Kannon, a hall of practice for sealing away illness. Prayers to drive off illness and for healing from illness.
山之観音Tonoshō, Kagawa
On the official Koyasu Kannonji page, presented as the cucumber blessing prayer of Yama-no-Kannon.
佛歯寺Tonoshō, Kagawa
A temple-information database confirms a cucumber blessing during the doyō period.
長勝寺Shōdoshima, Kagawa
The annual events of the Shōdoshima pilgrimage list a cucumber blessing prayer service during the July doyō period.
保安寺Shōdoshima, Kagawa
A cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day. The rite of placing an ofuda amulet inside the cucumber and laying it in the ground.
成田山 聖代寺Takamatsu, Kagawa
A special cucumber-blessing homa prayer service on Doyō no Ushi day.
一宮寺Takamatsu, Kagawa
A cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day. Confirmed as an event within Kagawa Prefecture.
最明寺Takamatsu, Kagawa
The official annual calendar lists an illness-suppressing cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day in July.
海岸寺Tadotsu, Kagawa
A kyuri kaji during the summer doyō. Both in-person and mail-in applications are accepted.
総本山 善通寺Zentsūji, Kagawa
A cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day. At the homa hall, prayers are offered for sealing away the suffering of illness and for bodily health.
湯塩山 玉泉院Zentsūji, Kagawa
A cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day. The rite of sealing the root of illness into a cucumber and burying it on the temple grounds is explained.
出釈迦寺Zentsūji, Kagawa
A cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day. Confirmed as an event within Kagawa Prefecture.
本山寺Mitoyo, Kagawa
Site No. 70 of the Shikoku sacred sites. In summer, on Doyō no Ushi day, a cucumber blessing is solemnly performed in the National Treasure main hall.
由霊山 慈尊院 三角寺Shikokuchūō, Ehime
Site No. 65 of the Shikoku 88 Sacred Sites. A cucumber blessing for sealing away various illnesses on Doyō no Ushi day is recorded, said to use one cucumber per person.
世田薬師Saijō, Ehime
A kyuri fūji on Doyō no Ushi day. The summer-prayer illness-sealing kyuri fūji rite.
王至森寺Saijō, Ehime
A blog record confirms a grand kyuri kaji festival within a summer prayer and a saitō great homa service. Introduced as a temple of the Shingon Omuro school, with its location confirmed via the official Saijō city site.
佛木寺Uwajima, Ehime
The official Shikoku 88 Sacred Sites site lists a kyuri fūji prayer service on the Ox day in July.
永徳寺Ōzu, Ehime
The main annual events on the official website list a cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day. The temple is revered as a place where Kōbō Daishi spent the night in the open.
定福寺Ōtoyo, Kōchi
A cucumber-sealing prayer on Doyō no Ushi day in the summer doyō. The rite of sealing an ofuda amulet into a cucumber and floating it down the river the next morning is also explained.
金剛福寺Tosashimizu, Kōchi
The annual events on the official Shikoku 88 Sacred Sites site list a kyuri fūji on Doyō no Ushi day.
宝明院Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka
A cucumber blessing performed together with a segaki memorial service. The cucumber is buried on the temple grounds, with prayers for healing from illness and for good health.
大悲山 養源寺Iizuka, Fukuoka
Daihizan Yōgenji, a temple of the Tendai school. In July (Doyō no Ushi day) it performs a cucumber-sealing rite (uri fūji).
南福寺Fukuoka, Fukuoka
Temple information lists an uri fūji. A service called kyuri fūji, which seals illness and worries into a cucumber, is held.
恵光院Higashi-ku, Fukuoka
Temple information lists a homa prayer service for sealing various illnesses into a cucumber (uri fūji) as an annual event. Confirmed as a temple of the Kōyasan Shingon school, with Kōbō Daishi as its founder.
祖聖大寺Sasaguri, Fukuoka
The official annual schedule lists a summer prayer (uri fūji). The temple wife's blog also explains it as a summer prayer in which the cucumber is treated as oneself and evil things are sealed away.
切幡寺Sasaguri, Fukuoka
The official annual calendar lists a doyō rite and uri fūji at the July summer grand festival.
妙音寺Sasaguri, Fukuoka
The Sasaguri Tourism Association's 2026 event schedule lists a grand festival of the summer doyō illness-removing homa offering and kyuri kaji prayer on July 19.
椿花山 武蔵寺Chikushino, Fukuoka
The Chikushino Tourism Association announces an illness-averting, misfortune-averting uri fūji prayer on Doyō no Ushi day.
金剛山 大日寺Kurume, Fukuoka
Site No. 94 of the Kyūshū 88 / 108 Sacred Sites. A temple of the Shingon Omuro school.
阿弥陀寺Kurume, Fukuoka
A cucumber blessing and homa offering. A prayer sealing the roots of illness and evil influences into a cucumber.
中山寺Kiyama, Saga
The Nagoshi kyuri fūji. Together with the Nagoshi no Harae summer purification and passing through the chinowa reed ring, illness, epidemics, and misfortune are sealed into a cucumber.
竹崎観世音寺Tara, Saga
Reported as a kyuri fūji festival with a tradition of about 500 years.
白王山 延命寺Saza, Nagasaki
A temple of the Kōyasan Shingon school. There is information that it performs a cucumber blessing.
金剛寺Arao, Kumamoto
A temple-information site and Kyūshū 88 Sacred Sites related information confirm a cucumber blessing on Doyō no Ushi day as an annual event. Kōyasan Shingon school; Site No. 58 of the Kyūshū 88 / 108 Sacred Sites.
高見山 南光院Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto
A Doyō-no-Ushi kyuri fūji homa on Doyō no Ushi day in July. Confirmed as an event of a Kōyasan Shingon school temple.
高野寺Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto
Temple information lists a Doyō-no-Ushi cucumber blessing in July as an annual event.
勘代寺Taragi, Kuma District, Kumamoto
The annual events on its official website list a cucumber prayer (kyuri kitō) on Doyō no Ushi day in July. Henjōzan Kichijōin Kandaiji. Kōyasan Shingon school; Site No. 51 of the Kyūshū 88 / 108 Sacred Sites.
光明寺Nobeoka, Miyazaki
Temple information lists a kyuri fūji at 10 a.m. on July 7.
八幡山 弘泉寺Ebino, Miyazaki
Confirmed as a prayer method of Shingon Esoteric Buddhism's secret tradition, handed down from Kōbō Daishi, for healing from illness and bodily health.
転法輪寺Aira, Kagoshima
An illness-sealing cucumber blessing on August 1. Prayers for good health and healing from illness.
法城院Aira, Kagoshima
A cucumber blessing performed as an annual event in July. Illness, misfortune, and bad habits are sealed into a cucumber, with prayers for good health.
高野山不動寺Kagoshima, Kagoshima
An uri-fūji blessing on July 21. A cucumber is used in prayers for healing from illness.
大歓寺Kagoshima, Kagoshima
A cucumber blessing written 木瓜加持, held on July 20. Confirmed as an annual event of Site No. 45 of the Kyūshū 88 Sacred Sites.
権現寺Kagoshima, Kagoshima
A kyuri kaji that is a secret method of Kōbō Daishi. Prayers for sealing away illness, for good health, and for bodily well-being.
ワイメア真言寺Waimea, Kauai, Hawaii, USA
A temple of the Kōyasan Shingon Mission of Hawaii. It performs kyuri kaji as the Cucumber Blessing / Kyuri Kaji.
ホノム遍照寺Honomu, Hawaii Island, Hawaii, USA
A Shingon-affiliated temple in Honomu on Hawaii Island, where records remain of a Monthly Odaishiko Service with Kyuri Kaji Blessing.
ハレイワ弘昭寺Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii, USA
The Hawaii Hochi reports that a cucumber blessing is performed at the Haleiwa Shingon temple Kōshōji.
Links go to the event announcement where one exists; otherwise, to the official website or a page that confirms the temple's location. Where a temple's social media account could be confirmed, it is listed alongside the official website.
* This list is based on research as of May 2026. Dates and application methods change from year to year, so please check the latest information on the linked page or with each temple before visiting.
