妙法寺, Buddhist temple in Niigata, Japan
Myohoji Temple is a Buddhist institution located on the western side of the Shinano River on elevated ground. The structure includes multiple halls and buildings arranged across a carefully designed site with stone steps and pathways.
The temple was founded in 1307 by Saint Nichiren during the late Kamakura period. It was rebuilt in 1884 after damage sustained during the Boshin War.
The temple's name comes from the Lotus Sutra, a central text in Nichiren Buddhism that followers study and chant here. You will see devotees in the halls and courtyards engaging in daily practice and meditation.
JR Myohoji Station provides direct access to the temple and is the only railway station in Japan named after a temple. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since climbing to the halls involves several flights of stairs.
Hepatica wildflowers bloom along the stone steps and moss-covered paths in early spring, marking the arrival of warmer months. These delicate blooms appear between stones and create a gentle contrast to the temple's traditional structures.
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