An'yo-ji, Buddhist temple in Kurashiki, Japan.
An'yo-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kurashiki, Japan, made up of several halls, a tall pagoda, and a large pond at the entrance with a red pavilion above it. The buildings are spread across an open plot of land and connected by walking paths that lead from one structure to the next.
The temple was founded in 782 by a monk named Hoon during the Nara period and grew considerably through the Heian period. Over the centuries it changed form and scale, but it remained a place of active worship in the Kurashiki area.
A red pavilion built over Tenno pond greets visitors at the entrance and draws the eye immediately upon arrival. It stands in contrast to the stone structures nearby and gives the whole site a sense of color that sets it apart from many other temples in the region.
The site is about a 15-minute drive from Kurashiki Station and has parking on site for those arriving by car. It is worth checking opening times before visiting, as they can vary depending on the time of year.
The temple holds a large bronze bell that is among the heaviest in the region, said to weigh around 11 tons. It is rung during special ceremonies, and the sound it produces travels far across the grounds.
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