一向寺, Buddhist temple near Tagawa River in Utsunomiya, Japan.
Ikkoji is a Buddhist temple near the Tagawa River in Utsunomiya that houses a three-and-a-half meter tall copper Buddha statue positioned on a stone shrine in the open air. The temple grounds are carefully arranged to create a serene setting for visitors.
The copper Buddha was created in 1735 when a local priest raised funds by selling soybeans. This unusual financing method made the creation of the statue possible.
The temple features a traditional Japanese garden with raked gravel patterns and stone lanterns that reflect Buddhist design principles.
The temple is reachable by a short walk of about ten minutes from JR Utsunomiya Station. It maintains regular visiting hours throughout the year.
A carved wooden dragon decorates the underside of the main worship hall's roof eaves and demonstrates precise craftsmanship in architectural details. This carefully crafted decoration is often overlooked despite being a remarkable artistic accomplishment.
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