There’s this hyperlocal event called “Houbou-san Day” happening on the 21st of every month at the Nagoya’s Chikusa-ku, where the famous Kakuozan Nittaiji temple is located. The street leading up to the temple is packed with all sorts of unique shops, from restaurants to trinket stores, and it’s hella lively! But the real star of the show is the mysterious “Kakuozan Udon” stand that pops up just for this occasion. People come from far and wide just to get a taste of this hyper-local dish that’s seriously to die for. So if you’re ever in Nagoya on the 21st, you gotta hit up Houbou-san and try this gem of a dish!

 

*Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are solely our own!

Simple udon with nothing special about it! Yet shockingly delicious!

 

Ah, the ultimate hangover cure! A gentle yet satisfying taste that cleanses your stomach. The beloved broth that’s adored by all ages and genders! And let’s not forget the perfect balance of the thin udon noodles and the toppings. If you’re a grown-up, forget ramen after drinking, go for this udon instead! Trust me, your body will thank you.

 

 

There doesn’t seem to be any special secret ingredient or atmosphere that suggests it, yet this heartwarming bowl of noodles is definitely worth stopping for at this festival. Is it simply because it tastes twice as good when eaten outside? Or are we just being fooled by the low price of 400 yen? Either way, it’s a flavor that can be enjoyed every day.

 

The tastiness of Kakuozan udon is seriously out of this world! It’s so good that we completely spaced on telling you about the festival and Niitaiji Temple!

The festival “Houbo-san” is held on the 21st of every month. Why the 21st, you ask? Well, it’s in honor of Houbo Daishi, whose lunar death anniversary falls on that day.

Of course, there are the classic festival foods you’d expect, but there are also plenty of shops selling fresh veggies, fruits, and seafood!

“Kakuozan Nitai-ji Temple” is the only temple in Japan where the genuine remains of Buddha are enshrined. The “Ni” represents Japan, and the “Tai” represents Thailand, symbolizing the friendship between the two countries. The temple enshrines a Shakyamuni bronze statue, which was a gift from the king of Thailand.

The genuine remains of Buddha were given as a gift from Siam (present-day Thailand), and representatives from various Buddhist sects discussed how to honor it. As a result, Kakuozan Nitai-ji Temple was established in 1904. Due to this origin, Nitai-ji Temple is a temple for all Japanese Buddhists and does not belong to any particular sect.

It’s a temple that bridges Japan and Thailand and symbolizes the friendship between the two countries, which is pretty cool if you ask me.