Hozan-ji — Attraction in Ikoma

I came at Saturday.. to Nara, actually. But it was too crowded and I didn’t get the tranquility I seek from my temple visit so I ride the train home— This is the temple that was near one of the station my train pass (Ikoma St.) Look at the high review and that we can use the cable car (derpy looking train photo.. hahahaha!) I decided to go. I want to try the derpy train. After riding the derpy cable car I walk up to the temple and.. finding an absolutely killer view of Ikoma. It was sunset. The atmosphere is so calm that it feels a little scary (because it begins to darken) and I’m only alone in the stairways, but soon I find other visitors too. There’s quite a lot actually! The temple is big. If you see the diorama photo, it was as high as it goes. I only reached the botton one where I can take my goshuin and go home...

Wow! It's absolutely amazing! While riding the cable car back down from the amusement park, we stopped to go check this temple out. It's a little walk through the town before you get to the beginning stairs. Here's the kicker, though: you might need to cross-fit train for a few months before going. It is a brutal climb up. Stairs after Stairs, after Stairs, up and up. I thought I was going to pass out, but it pays off. There are many places where you can make offerings, I stopped and burned some incense and asked for help climbing. Once you get into the tree lines, there are, which seemed like 100's of Buddha statues. They may have been Graves, not really sure. There is even one up on the mountainside. Just beautiful! If visiting Nara, this is a must stop. Just be prepared for the walk....

Although, the temple complex was officially opened in 1678, Mount Ikoma was originally an object of worship for the ancient people in the region, and so this area was selected as a place for religious training. The training area is said to have opened in 655 by En no Gyōja. Many Buddhist monks, including Kūkai, are said to have trained in here.

To fully appreciate this temple, be prepared to walk up as high as you can and explore the many areas of this temple. Put aside a good half day (longer, if you're a keen photographer).

The temple has Goshuin (temple red stamp) available, and I bought an awesome keyring as a token of...