大圓寺, Former Buddhist temple in Ena, Japan
Daienji Temple is a former Buddhist temple in Ena featuring more than 500 stone statues arranged across different levels and connected by stone paths and traditional Japanese garden elements. The grounds include dedicated spaces where visitors can sit and meditate among the stone arrangements.
The temple was founded between 1615 and 1624 by Buddhist priest Daikai Hoin, who built the initial hall dedicated to Dainichi Nyorai. The stone statues were created over following decades and eventually recognized as cultural properties in 1970.
The grounds hold hundreds of stone figures that visitors encounter as they move through the space, creating a contemplative setting. Walking among them, people sense a connection to the past and the reasons these statues were placed here.
The grounds remain open to visitors throughout the year without special requirements for exploration. Wear comfortable shoes since you will walk on stone paths and move across different levels while visiting.
Many of the stone statues were created to commemorate victims of a major fire that affected the region. Each figure displays different facial expressions, carved over decades by craftspeople working on the site.
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