Gansen-ji

Gansen-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kaizuka set among dense woodlands with a three-story pagoda and traditional Japanese architectural features throughout its grounds. The site has a clear layout with several buildings arranged around a central courtyard and surrounding temple spaces.

Emperor Shomu commissioned Buddhist priest Gyoki in 729 to establish this temple, marking a period of growing religious activity in the Nara region. This founding was part of a broader effort to spread Buddhism across Japan during that era.

The temple is known for its wooden Amida Nyorai statue, carved from a single zelkova tree and still serving as a focal point for worship and pilgrimage today. Visitors can observe how this sculpture remains central to the spiritual life of those who come here.

The temple can be reached most easily from nearby Kamo Station, from which the grounds are accessible on foot. It helps to visit during transition seasons when weather is pleasant and the parking areas tend to be less crowded.

At the main gate entrance stands a boat-shaped rock that priests once used for sacred cleansing ceremonies, and it inspired the temple's name meaning Rock Boat Temple. This unusual stone remains visible today and reminds visitors of the site's historic spiritual practices.