日本寺, Buddhist temple in Tako, Japan
Nihonji is a Buddhist temple that rises across multiple levels of Mount Nokogiriyama, with stone pathways connecting different worship areas and meditation spaces. The complex spreads across the slope with various buildings and structures serving different religious purposes.
The temple was founded in the 8th century and ranks among the oldest religious sites in the Kanto region. Over centuries, the complex expanded with large-scale stonework projects that shaped the grounds into its current form.
The temple displays hundreds of stone figures that visitors encounter while walking the mountain paths, showing the importance of this place for religious practice. These statues reflect the craftsmanship and devotion that shaped the site over centuries.
The temple is reachable by walking paths that start from the base of the mountain or by ropeway from Hama-Kanaya Station, which connects to higher entry points. Some paths are steep and require good walking shoes and plenty of time to explore the different areas.
The site features a 31-meter tall stone statue of Yakushi Buddha carved into the mountainside between 1780 and 1783. This massive figure is a rare stone carving from that period and shows the scale of the artistic effort.
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