Kyoto has so many great sights to offer, but there are some less known gems you should check out as well. They are well worth it! Like Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple in the neighborhood of the famous Arashiyama.
Why You Should Visit Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple (愛宕念仏寺) is located near Kyoto’s famous Arashiyama area, so it’s worth checking out if you’re nearby.
The interesting thing about this temple is that you can find over 1200 rakan (千二百羅漢) stone statues there, representing disciples of Shaka, the founder of Buddhism. Each of them has a unique and rather funny expression. It’s a great opportunity to take hilarious photos!
The statues are rather new as they were donated from 1981-1991 (you’ll even find a statue with a tennis racket!).
But as most of them are covered in moss, they look much older in my eyes.
Most were carved by amateurs from all over the world.
History of Otagi Nenbutsu-ji
It’s a Buddhist Temple found by Empress Shotoku in the middle of the eighth century. The temple has been damaged several times throughout history by natural disasters (typhoon, flooding) and war.
Access to the Temple
Take “Kyoto Bus” # 64, 74, 84 and 94 bound for “Kiyotaki” (清滝行) and get off at “Otagidera-mae” (おたぎでら前).
The bus is leaving from Hankyu Arashiyama Station, Kyoto Sanjo Sta., JR Kyoto Sta. and from a bus stop called “No no Miya” (野の宮) near (5 mins walk) Saga-Arashiyama Station’s south exit.
More info can be found on the official website.
Finding Yourself
Once you’re at the temple you can enjoy the funny expressions of all 1200 rakan statues.
Somebody once told me that there’s always one statue that looks a bit like yourself. Try to find it!
Considering there are well over a thousand, there’s gotta be one, right?
On the left photo you see Kokuzo Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of space, representing “vast and boundless” wisdom of the whole universe.
There’s a tiny red pagoda surrounded by the rakan statues.
The main hall was built in the Kamakura Period (1185-1333) and is an Important Cultural Property. Inside you’ll find a Yaku-yoke Senju Kannon (a thousand-armed Kannon statue).
Some statues seem really happy about the coins they received. ;)
The one of the right might have been one of my favorites.
Nearby Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple
Really close to Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple is the Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple (化野念仏寺, 9:00-16:30, 500 yen).
It’s not that interesting in terms of stone statues, but it has a beautiful bamboo forest!
It’s really just a short walk from the other temple along the beautiful “Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street” which has been preserved in the style of the Meiji Period (1868-1912).
Visiting both temples makes a nice afternoon stroll if you’re in the Arashiyama region already.
Wow! This is a great find. That’s the thing with Kyoto, there’s so much going on there that it’s really easy to miss stuff like this. On my ‘to do’ list for the next visit. Hope it isn’t too far away!
Glad to hear that. I’m sure you’ll like it! ^___^
And yes, there’s SO much to discover in Kyoto, there’s no end to it. :D
Haha, I love all your pictures of the statues! I had so much fun exploring this little known temple, if only because the statues are hilarious. Hope you don’t mind but I linked your blog on my own local’s activity guide to Japan. Thanks again!
Tam @ http://freshcoffeestains.com/japan-activity-guide/
Wow, Tam, that’s an amazing activity guide.
The only thing I’m really still missing myself is going to the Ogasawara Islands, so I’m jealous you got to go. ^___^
And thanks for mentioning me there. :D
Wow totally did not kow about this but it’s definitely going to be on my to-do list for the next trip in April! Also it doesn’t seem nearly as touristy as Kinkakuji for example. :-)
Patrick, you are right, it’s definitely less known.
Most people won’t have time to bother with this during their first Kyoto visit. ;)
Too bad. I visited the bigger temples and shrines but would’ve gladly swapped with this little gem. A lot of the bigger spots are ruined in my opinion because of the overload of tourists. Although i have to admit it’s a lot of fun taking a serene picture of Golden Pavilion and being surrounded by 400 mainly Japanese tourists who do exactly the same . :-D
Well, Kyoto has always been popular, but due to the recent foreign tourist boom (since 2011) it’s become truly insane.
I remember standing in front of the Golden Pavillion in summer 2007 – and while it was busy it was certainly not as crowded as nowadays. :)
I was there in 2014, standing in te middle of a big crowd trying to take pictures and about 4 guards trying to regulate the whole thing haha.