Sōken-ji, Buddhist temple in Naka-ku, Japan
Sōken-ji is a Buddhist temple in Naka-ku featuring a grand entrance with two guardian statues and traditional tiled roofs throughout its compound. The entire site sits within enclosed walls that separate the inner grounds from the surrounding neighborhood.
The temple was relocated to its current location in 1596 by Oda Nobukatsu as a memorial to his father, the powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga. This relocation marked its transformation into a dedicated place of remembrance.
Inside, the temple holds objects connected to the warlord Oda Nobunaga, including statues and portrait paintings that reflect how locals honor his memory. These pieces show the site's role as a place of remembrance and spiritual devotion.
The grounds stay closed to the public except on special occasions, but visitors can view the architecture and statues through the main gate near Osu shopping district. The location is easy to reach and offers a good view of the exterior from street level.
The temple opens to visitors only once a year on June 2nd to commemorate Oda Nobunaga's death anniversary with special prayer ceremonies. This single opening day allows visitors a rare chance to see the interior and experience the rituals.
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