Gumyō-ji, Buddhist temple in Yokohama, Japan
Gumyō-ji is a Buddhist temple in the Gumyōji neighborhood of Yokohama, Japan, known for its eleven-faced Kannon statue carved from a single elm tree during the Heian period. The complex includes several dark wooden buildings set among old trees, with stone steps leading to the main halls.
A monk named Gyōki founded the temple in the eighth century, while the Hōjō family later donated lands. The Tokugawa government recognized the site as an official religious institution and supported its preservation over multiple generations.
This site marks the fourteenth stop on the Bando pilgrimage route, a path connecting thirty-three sacred stations across eastern Japan. Pilgrims often collect special stamps in hand-bound booklets, keeping them as keepsakes from their spiritual journey.
The grounds open every day between eight in the morning and five in the afternoon, while the stamp office operates from nine until four. From Gumyōji Station, the walk takes just two minutes along a level road with clear signage.
The wood beneath visitors' feet dates back to the mid-eleventh century, making it the oldest religious floor in Yokohama. During later renovations, the original boards were carefully preserved, making each step a direct connection to medieval craftsmanship.
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