Daishō-in, Buddhist temple in Miyajima Island, Japan.
Daishō-in is a Buddhist temple on Miyajima Island featuring multiple traditional buildings, stone lanterns, and numerous sacred statues distributed across a mountainside setting. The complex is connected by pathways and staircases that link different sections and structures together.
The temple was founded in 806 by Buddhist monk Kūkai and became a major religious center for the region. It maintained strong ties with imperial families throughout the centuries that followed.
The temple functions as a gathering place for pilgrims following three major sacred routes through the region. Visitors encounter rows of Buddhist statues and votive offerings that show how people express their faith here.
The temple is about 15 minutes from the ferry terminal or 5 minutes from nearby Itsukushima Shrine by foot. The site requires climbing stairs to navigate between the various sections and upper levels.
Prayer wheels line the entrance steps of the temple, which visitors can turn while ascending the stairs. Each rotation of a wheel is said to bring the same spiritual benefit as reading a sacred text.
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