White Cluster Amaryllis flowers

正光寺の白い彼岸花

The end of September the rare white cluster amaryllis flowers delight our eyes. Cluster amaryllis flowers, also called red spider lilies, are generally noted for their bright red color. However, the cluster amaryllis flowers that bloom at Shoko-ji are white. The flowers have a slightly yellowish color and and the cores of the flowers are a faint pink; for lack of a better word, they look almost like fairies.

The number of flowers is around 4,000.
If you take a deep breath in the place where they bloom, you’ll feel as though your spirit is being cleansed. About 50 years ago, it’s said there was a spot in a field in the former Denpoji Temple where these white cluster amaryllis flowers grew; the owner transplanted their bulbs and planted them on the premises of Shoko-ji Temple where they began to grow. Countless red amaryllis flowers grow in the footpaths of the fields running from the Shiida Bypass Tsuiki Interchange all the way along the Kiikawa River. The contrast of the interweaving red and green that runs up until you get to the temple is spectacular.

Time period: Late September

Address (Japanese)	829-0122　福岡県築上郡築上町伝法寺1357
Address	Shoko-ji Temple, Chikujo machi, Chikujo District
Telephone Number	0930-31-0306（NPO法人築上町観光協会）
Contact	Chikujo Commerce and Industry Tourism Department
Open	10：00～
Access	・5-minute walk from Uedenpoji Bus Stop of Sawada Line ・25 minutes by car from Tsuiki Station of JR Nippo Main Like . ・From the Tsuiki Interchange on the Shiida Expressway it is around 7.5km headed in the Shiida direction.