鮭延寺, Buddhist temple in Koga, Japan.
Sakenobuji is a Buddhist temple in Koga, in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, with multiple shrines, Buddha statues, and a garden area spread across the grounds. The buildings follow traditional Japanese temple architecture and are connected by paths that run through the wooded courtyard.
The temple is said to have been founded in the early 7th century, after fishermen reportedly pulled a Kannon statue from the water in their nets. The site was rebuilt and modified over the following centuries, but its connection to Kannon worship remained central throughout.
The temple is known for its connection to Kannon worship, one of the most common forms of devotion in Japanese Buddhism. Visitors can see offerings and small tokens left in front of the altars, showing how the place remains woven into the daily life of local people.
The temple sits in a quiet part of Koga and can be reached by bus from Koga Station or on foot if you are staying nearby. The grounds are flat and easy to walk, so a full tour of the site takes no particular effort.
The Kannon statue at the heart of the temple's founding story is not on public display but kept hidden from view. This practice of concealment is said to follow an instruction given to a priest in a dream, a tradition that has been respected for centuries.
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