Hase-dera, Buddhist temple in Sakurai, Japan
Hase-dera is a Buddhist temple in Sakurai, Nara Prefecture, known for its oversized wooden statue. The complex spreads across a wooded hillside and consists of several halls, corridors, and staircases connected through gardens.
A priest founded the temple in the late 7th century during the relocation of the capital to Nara. The current main hall was rebuilt after a fire in the 16th century and has stood at the same spot since that time.
The name derives from the old Japanese word "hatsuse," meaning a valley between mountains. Visitors see a building with steep roofs and wide overhanging beams that stretches across the hillside, surrounded by wooden verandas.
The climb to the main hall takes about 15 to 20 minutes and passes through a covered stairway. The paths can become slippery when it rains, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
Wooden carved lanterns line the entire stairway and are lit on specific evenings throughout the year. This tradition creates a warm glow that marks the path up to the main hall.
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