Daihoji Temple

On the western edge of the Japanese archipelago in Goto, this Shingon temple has gathered maritime artifacts over more than a thousand years of seafarers passing through. The five-tiered stone pagoda behind the main hall dates to 1369, with stone brought from Fukui Prefecture by traders who regularly sailed the Sea of Japan coast. The bronze bell, cast in 1375, was donated by a priest from Hyogo who was about to cross the East China Sea and sought divine protection for the voyage. The temple claims a legendary association with the priest Kukai, who is said to have stopped here in 806 upon his return from China.