Tōzen-ji, Buddhist temple in Sasebo, Japan.
Tōzen-ji is a Buddhist temple located on Iwatomi Mountain and displays traditional Japanese architecture with a standing statue of Yakushi Nyorai dating from the Muromachi period. The main hall and surrounding structures form a typical mountain temple complex in a natural setting.
The monk Gyōki founded the temple between 708 and 715, but it was relocated to its present location in 986. From that point onward it served as the principal temple for the Matsura clan.
The temple serves as the 74th stop on the Kyushu 88 Sacred Places pilgrimage route and hosts traditional Buddhist ceremonies year-round. Many pilgrims visit to complete this sacred journey and connect with the spiritual practices held here.
A 15-minute walk from Honmatsu Station on the Matsuura Railway line leads to the temple, which is open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. The mountain setting requires some hiking but the route is straightforward and manageable.
A camphor tree roughly 500 years old stands near the entrance gate and has been designated as a natural monument of Nagasaki Prefecture. The massive tree is one of the most striking features visitors notice on arrival.
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