Chōhō-ji, Buddhist temple in Hirano-ku, Japan
Chōhō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Hirano-ku with multiple buildings featuring traditional architecture and housing statues of Kannon and a protective Acala figure. The main hall contains an important deity statue that serves as the temple's most treasured object.
The temple began when Prince Shotoku commissioned a Yakushinyorai statue, leading to the construction of a small shrine. This initial site gradually developed into the larger temple complex that exists today.
The temple includes a jigoku-do section where Buddhist interpretations of hell are presented through displays about moral choices and their consequences. Visitors can walk through this space to see how these spiritual teachings are visualized.
The temple is easily accessible by train to JR Hirano Station, from where visitors can walk south through streets with local shops and restaurants. The surrounding neighborhood is very walkable and straightforward to navigate.
The sacred Yakushinyorai statue in the main hall opens for public viewing only twice yearly, in January and autumn. This limited access makes each viewing occasion feel special and draws visitors who time their trips around these rare openings.
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