Kōya-ji, Buddhist temple in Hakodate, Japan
Kōya-ji is a Buddhist temple in Hakodate featuring traditional wooden structures with sloped roofs and detailed carved elements. The spaces include prayer halls and ritual areas where spiritual practice occurs regularly.
The temple was founded in 1884 and later received the status of first station on a pilgrimage route through Hokkaido. This came through an initiative that connected multiple sites and established their spiritual significance.
The temple serves as a stop on a pilgrimage route where visitors light incense and participate in prayers. People come here to venerate the Kannon deity, giving the place a quiet, spiritual quality.
The temple sits in a residential neighborhood and is accessible to visitors on most days. Guests should wear appropriate clothing and remove shoes before entering, which is customary at Buddhist temples.
The temple holds a collection representing the 33 principal deities of Shingon temples across the region. This collection ties the sites on the pilgrimage route together through their shared religious traditions.
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