Suma-dera, Buddhist temple in Suma-ku, Japan
Suma-dera is a Buddhist temple in Suma-ku, Japan, situated on a hillside near the Seto Inland Sea and classified as an Important Cultural Property. The grounds contain a three-story pagoda, several buildings for worship and ceremonies, and gardens with traditional landscaping that change with the seasons, from cherry blossoms to maples.
The temple was founded in 591 during the Asuka period and preserves objects from the Genpei War, including bamboo flutes belonging to the samurai Taira no Atsumori from 1184. The complex was later expanded and now houses memorials that honor key moments in Japanese history.
The temple grounds feature stone monuments inscribed with poetry from notable Japanese writers, including works from Matsuo Basho and Yosa Buson.
The temple is about a 15-minute walk uphill from JR Suma Station, with the grounds open daily from 8:30 to 17:00 and free to enter. The hillside setting involves some steps, but the main paths are well maintained and manageable for most visitors.
Sand samples from 88 sacred sites on Shikoku are embedded under glass around the pagoda, allowing visitors to perform a symbolic pilgrimage by walking over them. Stone monuments also display poems from noted Japanese writers, including Matsuo Basho and Yosa Buson, honoring the literary importance of this place.
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