Shakudō-ji, Buddhist temple in Kinomoto, Nagahama, Japan
Shakudō-ji is a Buddhist temple positioned at the foot of Mount Kodakami, distinguished by a main hall that houses three important Buddhist statues originating from the Heian period. The building centers on an eleven-faced Kannon statue as its primary work, which together with two other figures defines this sacred space.
The eleven-faced Kannon statue was created during the late Heian period between 794 and 1185, later earning recognition as an Important National Cultural Property. This designation reflects the temple's importance to Japanese Buddhist art history.
The temple serves as a place where visitors come to pray for blessings related to fertility, with the Kannon statue at the heart of these devotions. People visit to offer their wishes and prayers before this revered figure.
The temple is accessible by car, roughly a 10-minute drive from JR Kinomoto Station, with an entry fee of 300 yen and opening hours from 9 AM to 4 PM. Visitors should note that some paths leading to the main building are unpaved, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Unlike many traditional Buddhist temples, Shakudō-ji has no resident monks but is instead maintained and cared for by members of the local community. This lay-managed model is unusual and shows how local people actively preserve their religious heritage.
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