Onshō-ji, Buddhist temple in Ina, Japan.
Onshō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Ina with several historic buildings, including a Tahō-tō pagoda structure that ranks among the oldest of its style in Nagano Prefecture. The grounds hold more than 2,000 peony plants that spread across the temple area and bloom from mid-May through early June.
The temple was founded in 821 by the Buddhist master Saichō, making it an early place of worship in the region. A major shift occurred in the 15th century when Nichiren sect leader Nitchū revitalized the complex.
The Shaka-dō hall shows traditional features of Nichiren Buddhism that visitors can observe in its spatial layout and artistic details. The rooms and artwork speak to devotional practices that have taken place at this location over centuries.
The temple is best visited during peony blooming season from mid-May through early June, when the gardens display their full colors. Comfortable shoes are recommended since the grounds include extensive areas with uneven paths and steps.
The Tsurukame-gasshō Garden displays landscaping techniques from the early Edo period that reflect careful study of nature during that historical time. This garden space blends traditional elements with the architecture of the location in a way characteristic of that era.
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