高山寺, Buddhist temple in Ogawa, Japan
Kōzan-ji is a Buddhist temple spread across a hillside with traditional wooden buildings and gardens connected by stone pathways. The complex contains several structures arranged naturally within the landscape, creating separate areas for prayer, study, and gardens.
This temple was founded in 774, but its transformation came later when an important monk in the 13th century made it into a major center of Buddhist learning. That period marked when the site began to gain real prominence in the religious world.
The temple holds ancient scrolls showing animals acting like humans, revealing how Japanese artists once saw the world and expressed ideas through painting. These works offer visitors today a window into historical artistic traditions and the relationship between nature and culture.
The grounds are accessible during daytime hours, and visitors should wear suitable walking shoes since paths wind up hills and over uneven terrain. The best time to visit is during cooler months when walking is more enjoyable and the gardens show bright colors.
The site holds Japan's oldest tea garden, where tea plants were first grown in the 13th century by a resident monk. These early plants later spread to other regions and helped establish what became Japan's famous tea traditions.
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