Dairaku-ji Fire

Description

On March 25, 2026, a fire destroyed the wooden one-story residence at Dairaku-ji in Minami-Usa, Usa, Oita Prefecture. The temple is said to have been founded in 1333. A temple resident reported a kitchen fire around 2:15–2:20 a.m. Four family members escaped safely. The fire was extinguished about two and a half hours later. The main hall, which houses a nationally designated Important Cultural Property wooden Miroku Buddha and attendant statues, was not damaged. Ten cultural properties at the temple, including nationally designated wooden Four Heavenly Kings statues, were reported unharmed. Police and fire authorities are investigating the cause.