Myogen-in, Buddhist temple in Oharu, Japan
Myogen-in is a Buddhist temple in Oharu featuring traditional Japanese architecture with wooden structures, stone pathways, and meditation gardens set among ancient trees. The grounds consist of several connected areas where buildings and cultivated spaces work together to create the temple's overall character.
The temple was founded in 759 by the Chinese monk Jianzhen, bringing architectural styles from China's Tang Dynasty to Japan. This cross-cultural connection established during its early years remains visible in the building methods and design still seen today.
The space functions as a living center where meditation and daily rituals continue to shape how visitors experience the grounds. The layout of buildings and gardens reflects spiritual principles that still guide those who come to practice here.
The temple grounds are open to visitors during daylight hours and accessible by public transportation. Plan to spend time walking through the gardens and buildings at a relaxed pace to take in the full character of the place.
Several original structures at the site date to the 8th century and have survived numerous natural disasters over the centuries. These older buildings display rare architectural features from that period that visitors seldom encounter elsewhere.
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