長安寺, Buddhist temple in Ofunato, Japan.
Choganji is a Buddhist temple on Japan's eastern coast with traditional wooden structures and sloped roofs set against mountain scenery. The grounds contain a main prayer hall, cemetery areas, and walking paths that connect different sections.
The temple emerged during a period of Buddhist expansion in the Ofunato region during the Edo period. A bronze bell on the grounds dating to 1659 marks this era of religious development.
The temple serves as a gathering place for local families during Obon festival, when they perform ancestor veneration ceremonies at the cemetery grounds. Visitors can observe how residents connect with their heritage through offerings and prayers.
The temple is open daily from sunrise to sunset and offers dedicated parking areas with clear walking paths throughout. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the grounds include some elevation changes.
Stone walls throughout the grounds are covered with native mountain plants that shift colors through the four seasons. This seasonal transformation gives the temple grounds a different appearance with each visit.
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