Kakurinji, Buddhist temple at Mount Washigao, Japan
Kakurinji is a Buddhist temple located high on a mountain in Japan, featuring historic stone paths and traditional wooden buildings arranged across several levels. The complex is surrounded by ancient cedar trees that create a natural forest setting around the structures.
The temple was founded in 798 when a Buddhist monk established it after a spiritual encounter on the mountain. The pilgrimage route was marked with stone pillars during the Muromachi period, creating a formal pathway that pilgrims followed for centuries.
The temple serves as a pilgrimage destination where visitors walk the mountain path to pray and connect with nature in a setting steeped in religious tradition. Local practitioners continue to maintain Buddhist rituals and ceremonies throughout the year.
Access is by way of a mountain hiking trail that requires several hours of walking and physical effort to reach the temple grounds. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes, bring water and rain gear, as mountain weather can change quickly and the path becomes slippery when wet.
The temple houses an ancient wooden statue carved from a sacred tree that holds deep spiritual significance for pilgrims who visit. Devotees travel here specifically to offer prayers before this sacred object, making it the spiritual center of the complex.
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