Ōya-dera, Buddhist temple in Utsunomiya, Japan
Ōya-dera is a Buddhist temple in Utsunomiya featuring ten stone relief statues carved directly into cliffs composed of local Ōya stone. Among these carvings stands a four-meter-tall figure of Senju Kannon, the central focal point of the site.
The temple was established in 810 after Buddhist monk Kūkai returned from China and introduced it to the local community. During the Muromachi period, the Utsunomiya clan provided protection to the temple, contributing to its preservation.
This temple serves as the nineteenth stop on the Bandō Sanjūsankasho pilgrimage route, connecting thirty-three temples dedicated to Kannon across the Kantō region. Pilgrims and visitors come here to participate in this centuries-old tradition of worship.
The site is accessible by bus number 45 from the west exit of JR Utsunomiya Station heading toward the Oya Kannon-mae stop. Regular bus service allows visitors to reach the temple conveniently and explore the location at their own pace.
Archaeological excavations in 1965 revealed artifacts from multiple periods, including Buddha statues and items dating to the Jomon era. These discoveries show that the site held importance long before the temple's establishment.
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