Hyakusai-ji, Buddhist temple in Higashiōmi, Japan
Hyakusai-ji is a Buddhist temple on the western slopes of the Suzuka Mountains in Higashiōmi. The main hall has a roof made of cypress bark and is surrounded by gardens with water basins and rock clusters.
The temple was founded in 606 by Prince Shōtoku and experienced several fires, including complete destruction by Oda Nobunaga in 1573. Reconstruction took place in 1650 and brought about the current buildings.
The name comes from an early legend in which Prince Shōtoku is said to have planted one hundred pines here. Today visitors can see large ponds on the temple grounds, surrounded by trees and natural stones.
The grounds open in the morning and close in the late afternoon, with admission granting access to all buildings and gardens. The paths lead through gently rising slopes that are manageable for most visitors.
A wooden statue of the goddess Kannon from the eleventh century has survived through the centuries, even though the temple burned down several times. Since 2017 sake has been brewed here again after the tradition lay dormant for more than 440 years.
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