Owari Kokubunji, Buddhist temple in Yawase, Inazawa, Japan
Owari Kokubunji is a Buddhist temple in Yawase that houses a central hall containing a Yakushi Nyorai statue. The building displays traditional architectural elements of the Rinzai Zen school with carefully arranged spaces that have been maintained over time.
Emperor Shomu founded this provincial temple in 741 as part of a nationwide network of Buddhist institutions aimed at strengthening religious practices. The site developed over generations and became an important anchor for regional spiritual life.
The temple houses five wooden statues that show how religious artwork was valued and preserved across centuries. These figures from the Kamakura and Muromachi periods stand as important cultural property that visitors can experience firsthand.
The temple can be reached by taking a Meitetsu bus from Konomiya Station to the Yawase Kannon-mae stop, followed by a short walk. Comfortable shoes are helpful since the grounds are uneven and traditional indoor spaces are entered without footwear.
Archaeological excavations uncovered the original temple's foundation stones, leading to the site's designation as a National Historic Site in 2012. This discovery allowed researchers to understand the original layout and construction methods of the early complex.
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