Kyū sendō-ji ato, Former Buddhist temple in Kunisaki, Japan
Kyū sendō-ji ato is a former Buddhist temple site in Kunisaki with stone paths leading through a torii gate past carved Buddha statues, then climbing steeply beside high stone retaining walls. The grounds extend across multiple walking trails, stone structures, and hundreds of carved stones marking graves of monks who once lived here.
The site was constructed during the early Heian period and was largely destroyed by a forest fire in 1968, leading to the rebuilding of the temple in the valley below. The ruins of the original location are now preserved as a memorial place.
Two Nio deity statues remain at the entrance, maintaining their role as guardians of this religious site that once echoed with monks chanting.
The site is best explored on foot and during warmer months when the paths are dry and vegetation is visible. Wear comfortable shoes as the ground is uneven and some sections climb steeply.
White irises bloom across the grounds each spring, marking the location where countless Buddhist monks spent their final days. This annual flowering connects the site's past with the present cycle of nature.
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