Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple — Attraction in Kyoto

"And...Love, true love, will follow you forever" - The Princess Bride

What is love? It's not only about people, but our beautiful world around us. To me, the purest form of love is waking up each day and loving life itself. As a resident of Kyoto Prefecture, I've visited all the major temples, shrines, historical landmarks, from the architecture of Gion to sipping matcha on the Uji river. I've done it all! Yet, I've never pilgrimaged to the temple of the 1,200 disciples of Buddha until now. Amazing!

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is hidden on a lush mountain side of Ukyō-ku ward, Arashiyama. Due to its location it is overlooked by many, except for the curious, more adventurous, and pilgrimages.

This historic Buddhist Temple was founded in Gion, circa 766 by Empress Shōtoku, however due to natural disasters and misfortunes, it was on the brink of being forgotten and left on the back pages of old books. Fortunately it survived the ravishes of time, relocated several times, and today has a collection of 1,200 unique and whimsical Raken statues, each carved by hand.

You will find the expected praying statues to the supernatural. What separates this Buddhist Temple from the rest are the statues of the modern ladies to the kitten, the samurai to the tennis player, the geisha to the boxer, the tourist holding a camera! It's endless and so endearing.

Due to the logistics it is rarely visited by the average Kyōtō tourist, except those who are willing to trek outside the more popular areas. To me, this tranquil, small temple, filled with quirkiness and pure love was the most joyful experience of all my pilgrimages across Japan. People come and go, however Otagi Nenbutsu-ji will outlive us all. A place dear to my heart and one might say I felt a sense of belonging. 愛

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A magical temple set into the hills above Arashiyama. It’s a bit of a hike or bus ride to get to this Buddhist temple, but so worth it. You can catch a bus from Arashiyama station, but they are not very regular, so you need to time the train to coincide with a bus. Or you can walk 37 mins uphill. Once you arrive, getting into the temple complex costs just 300 Yen per adult. This isn’t a particularly old temple, so don’t expect to feel transported by the ancient spirituality of the place. The temple was founded in the 8th century but brought here in the early part of the 20th century since it had suffered a lot of damage in its former location in Kyoto. It suffered yet more damage here and was rebuilt in the 1950s by priest, and amateur sculptor, Kocho Nishimura. And here’s where the magical element of the temple comes in. Nishimura had the genius idea of asking visitors to sculpt a statue for the complex. These were placed all around the temple, on the paths leading up to it, beside and behind it, up to the early 1990s. Each one is different, obviously. Some are contemplative. Some funny. Look out for the one playing with a cat. Now moss-covered and aging the statues look more ancient than they are, but they are all intriguing. The temple itself is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. And, after you’ve had your fill of little statues, you can walk down through the pretty streets with small shops, to the Bamboo Forest and the rest of...

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, nestled in Kyoto’s serene Arashiyama district, offers a tranquil and enriching experience for visitors. The temple is renowned for its collection of 1,200 stone rakan statues—representations of Buddha’s disciples—each carved with unique expressions and characteristics. These statues, created between 1981 and 1991 under the guidance of sculptor and monk Kocho Nishimura, reflect a blend of solemnity and whimsy, with some figures smiling, laughing, or holding objects that hint at the carvers’ personal interests .   

The temple’s location, slightly removed from the main tourist routes, contributes to its peaceful atmosphere, allowing visitors to explore the grounds without the usual crowds. Surrounded by lush greenery and maple trees, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji provides a picturesque setting that changes with the seasons, making it a worthwhile destination year-round .

In summary, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple stands out as a hidden gem in Kyoto, offering a unique combination of artistic expression, spiritual significance, and natural beauty. Its distinctive rakan statues and serene environment make it a compelling site for those seeking a deeper cultural experience away from the typical...