Hōrai-ji, Buddhist temple in Shinshiro, Japan
Hōrai-ji is a Buddhist temple on Mount Hōrai near Shinshiro, comprising several wooden buildings on a forested mountaintop. The main gate, hall, and bell tower sit close together, connected by paved pathways and open courtyards.
A hermit priest named Rishu founded the temple in the early 8th century as a meditation site on the mountain. The gate was donated in the mid-17th century by the Tokugawa shogunate and now holds protected status.
The temple draws hikers and nature lovers who come for its cherry blossoms in spring and autumn colors. The stone stairway passes through cedar forest, and the summit offers open views over the surrounding valleys and ridges.
A stairway climb to the temple grounds takes time and good footwear, as the steps can be uneven and covered with leaves in autumn. Parking is available at the base of the mountain, and the trail begins from there.
An ancient cedar tree with a broad crown stands on the grounds and is likened to an open umbrella because of its shape. The tree is several hundred years old and reaches considerable height.
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