Jin'ya-ji, Buddhist temple in Kimitsu, Japan
Jin'ya-ji is a Buddhist temple located on Mount Kano with a main hall topped by a copper roof and traditional gates set among maple and cherry trees. The grounds include a garden area and a treasure hall where ancient artworks and sculptures are displayed for visitors.
The temple was founded in 598 by Prince Shotoku and ranks among the oldest Buddhist sanctuaries in the Kanto region. It has served as an important religious site for centuries and was designated as an Important Cultural Property to protect its heritage.
The temple's name derives from Mount Kano, where it stands, and visitors come to see the carved statue and mask that show the skill of ancient artisans. Local people and pilgrims visit to experience the spiritual setting and observe how these treasures connect to Buddhist practice.
The temple grounds are best explored on foot, as they spread across the mountainside with several pathways connecting different areas. Plan to spend enough time visiting both the gardens and the interior of the temple halls to appreciate the artworks and surroundings.
The grounds once housed a private tiger facility where animals escaped in the early 1980s, triggering an unusual search operation. This incident remains a curious chapter in the otherwise quiet history of this sacred place.
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