大陽寺, Buddhist temple in Chichibu, Japan
Taiyo-ji is a Buddhist temple located in the mountains at an elevation of about 800 meters, surrounded by thick forest. The complex includes several buildings, with a main hall containing valuable Buddha statues that are designated as important cultural properties.
The temple was founded during the late Kamakura period when a royal prince selected this remote location for his spiritual practice. Over time, the site became an important religious center in the mountain region.
The temple welcomed female worshippers during an era when most mountain monasteries kept them out. This openness made it a special refuge for women pilgrims and believers from across the region.
The temple can be reached by car or bus in about 25 minutes from the nearest train station. Visitors should bring good walking shoes since the path goes uphill and winds through the forest.
The temple became known during the Edo period as the eastern counterpart to the sacred Mount Koya for women, welcoming female pilgrims when others turned them away. This distinction remains an important part of the site's identity today.
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