Enoshima Daishi, Buddhist temple in Enoshima Island, Japan

Enoshima Daishi is a standalone Buddhist temple built in 1993 on the site of the former Enoshima-kan inn. Its main hall houses a 6-meter seated Fudo Myoo, said to be the largest indoor statue of its kind in Japan and known as Aka Fudo, the Red Fudo.

The temple was founded in 1993 to restore Buddhist presence on the island after a long period without such structures. This marked the return of organized Buddhism to the location following centuries when religious institutions had been separated from Enoshima.

The main image is a red Fudo Myoo, called Aka Fudo, a 6-metre figure described as among the largest indoor statues in Japan. The temple belongs to the Shingon lineage of Kukai and opened in 1993 as the Kanto branch of Saifukuji in Kagoshima, under Ekan Ikeguchi. It stands on the site of the Enoshimakan inn, which closed in 1964.

The temple welcomes visitors daily and benefits from approaching with respect for the ceremonies and offerings taking place inside. The dim interior requires patience to explore, and eyes need time to adjust to the low light as you move through the main hall.

The temple's interior is intentionally kept dark to create a focused prayer environment, which is an unusual feature compared to brighter temples elsewhere in Japan. This darkness gives the space a special quality and directs attention toward spiritual practice rather than visual decoration.