Abe Monju-in Temple

One of Japan's three great temples dedicated to Monju, the bodhisattva of wisdom, this 7th-century site in Sakurai houses a 7-meter Monju Bosatsu statue carved by the master sculptor Kaikei in the 13th century and designated a National Treasure. Students visit before exams to pray for academic success. The temple grounds also contain two ancient burial mounds and a hall dedicated to the astrologer Abe no Seimei, said to have been born here.