Enzoji Temple — Attraction in Yanaizu

Ever since we happened to pull the secret design from an akabeko gachapon, we have been interested in the legend of the akabeko and excited to visit Fukushima. When we saw we could visit the temple that the myth originated from, we immediately put it on our list. I wish I had read more reviews beforehand though... I absolutely cannot recommend somewhere with someone so miserable and bitter. It could ruin your trip if you are not careful. If you go just for the view and paintings inside the temple (the lighting is low so they’re hard to see), it could be worth it. But I’m not even sure then. Don’t come from far away just to visit here, you should only go if you are in the area and aware of all the negatives.

Before we could even finish reading the sign that said goshuin were not available that day (I found out later from the omairi website that goshuin are only available on weekdays, are 1000 yen, and that you can be turned away for all kinds of reasons), a monk appeared and gestured rudely to us with a big X sign. He looked very grumpy and couldn’t even bother to realize that we speak and read Japanese. He then scowled, made the big X gesture again and shook it at us, then and walked away. It left a bad taste in my mouth. I was so disappointed to be treated so rudely here. After reading through all the low ratings for this temple, I see that we are not alone. While they may have had bad experiences with some tourists, or hold certain opinions, I think it is very narrow-minded to assume that everyone is treating the goshuin experience as a “stamp rally”. We had traveled all the way from Hyogo and we understand the history and significance of goshuin. There is a difference between respecting the tradition of something and being rude to almost everyone who comes for a goshuin. He is obviously very bitter. If he is so angry about it, then I think they should stop offering goshuin. I don’t want to ever go back.

It's the difficult balance between respecting a tradition and understanding that times have changed somewhat. Many people use goshuin as a way to record where they have visited. Some temples who offer stamps with seasonal designs and pictures are receiving more visitors thanks to that. It’s not a simple black and white issue like he seems to think. I have visited a temple that required you to write a portion of the full sutra, then receive a prayer from the monk before. That temple was also strict, but they were patient and kind too. Absolutely don’t visit with a goshuin, and if you do visit then stay far away from the...

福満虚空蔵菩薩 圓蔵寺 〒969-7201...

A smallish temple with a nice view onto the river and surrounding mountains. It's quiet, all free to enter, and generally feels very authentic and real.

Inside the temple proper, photography is not allowed. This is normal for a real and functioning temple. Outside it's allowed.

The place it fairly easy to reach by train, as a train station is within spitting distance. There also several free parking lots around. Further down the main road are two gift shops annex eateries, and while the gifts seem to be just generic Aizu-themed gifts, they might still be worth checking out, now that you're...