Jakkoin, Buddhist temple in Inuyama, Japan
Jakkoin is a Buddhist temple in Inuyama, Japan, set on a hillside surrounded by around 1,000 Japanese maple trees that change color with the seasons. The grounds spread across several levels, with the main hall at the top, lower valley areas, and smaller secondary buildings connected by paved paths.
The temple was founded in 646 on the order of Emperor Kotoku, making it one of the oldest religious sites in the region. In 1565, Oda Nobunaga granted it land in exchange for spiritual protection of Kiyosu Castle.
The main hall houses a statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon, which is open to the public only during certain years of the zodiac cycle. Visitors who come in one of those years find the temple noticeably busier, with worshippers traveling from far away to see the statue.
Reaching the main hall requires climbing a steep stone staircase, but an inclined elevator offers an easier alternative for those who need it. The autumn season, when the maple leaves change color, is generally the most rewarding time to visit.
A viewing platform beside the main hall offers a line of sight to four different castles and the Suzuka mountain range on a clear day. Most visitors focus on the maple trees and miss this spot, which ties together the spiritual and feudal history of the area in a single view.
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