The 32nd Sugao Stone Buddha Fire Festival
❚ Held on August 24, 2025
The Sugao Stone Buddha Fire Festival takes place at Sugao Stone Buddha Plaza in Mie Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture.
The rooster-crowing imitation contest, inspired by a local legend, is a delightfully fun event where participants perform rooster calls while wearing handmade costumes (of course, costumes are optional) or delivering unique acts. Smiles fill the venue.

Date and Time: Sunday, August 24, 2025
Location: Sugao Stone Buddha Plaza (Mie Town, Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture)
Parking is in front of Sugao Elementary School’s pool. A free shuttle taxi runs between the parking area and the venue.
Event Schedule
15:00 Shinto rituals and Buddhist ceremonies
15:10 Welcoming the demon
15:20 Opening ceremony and mochi-throwing
15:30 Toyuyukai taiko drumming
16:00 Rooster-crowing imitation contest
17:00 Torch throwing
18:00 Matsuo kagura performance
20:00 End

▶ Rooster-Crowing Imitation Contest — Participants Wanted
Participation fee: Free (participation prizes available)
Application deadline: Thursday, August 21, 2025
Prize money: 1st place 30,000 yen, 2nd place 20,000 yen, 3rd place 10,000 yen
Additional prize: Roadside Station Mie gift certificates
Apply via the Sugao Regional Promotion Council

Organizer / Contact
Sugao Regional Promotion Council

❚ About the Sugao Stone Buddha Fire Festival
Local residents organize the festival to boost community revitalization and promote awareness of the Sugao cliff-carved stone Buddhas.
The rooster-crowing imitation contest is based on a local legend. According to the tale, a troublesome demon settled in the area and demanded, "Give me the village maiden as a bride!" The troubled village headman consulted a monk, who told the demon, "If you carve five stone Buddhas on the cliff in one night, I will give you the maiden as a bride; if you cannot, you must leave the village." Worried villagers checked at night and found the demon carving the fifth statue. They had the village’s rooster-call master imitate a rooster, and the demon mistook the sound for dawn and fled.

■■■ Access to Bungoono City central area ■■■
About a 3-hour drive from JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka Prefecture
About a 2-hour drive from JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Prefecture
About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, Oita Prefecture
About a 1 hour 20 minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, Oita Prefecture

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Introducing tourism and recommended spots in Kyushu’s Bungoono City, Oita Prefecture
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https://sato-no-tabi.jp/news/20250813event-mie/...