Tanukidanisan Fudō-in, Buddhist temple in Ichijoji, Japan
Tanukidanisan Fudō-in is a Buddhist temple situated on a mountainside with multiple buildings connected by approximately 250 stone steps that lead to a main prayer hall. The complex spreads across different elevations and incorporates natural cave areas within its layout, creating a layered structure across the slope.
The temple was founded in 1718 when a monk named Mokujiki Shozen Tomoatsu discovered a natural cave and installed a statue of Fudo Myoo there. This establishment marked the beginning of the site as a place of worship and has remained a spiritual center since that time.
The temple is adorned with hundreds of ceramic tanuki statues arranged along the staircases, reflecting a spiritual bond with these animals that is visible throughout the site. This distinctive decoration shapes how visitors experience the place and shows local reverence for these creatures.
The temple is reachable on foot, with public transport access via the Eizan Line to Ichijoji Station, followed by about a 20-minute walk to the entrance. Visitors should expect steep stairs and uneven paths, so comfortable walking shoes and physical readiness are helpful for the climb.
Hundreds of hand-painted ceramic tanuki statues line the temple staircases, creating a distinctive visual feature that sets this site apart from other prayer spaces. This unusual detail connects local folklore with the religious purpose of the location.
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