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Shoboji Temple
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Shoboji Temple

temple

Shoboji Temple

正法寺

4.4Est. 90Kyoto, Kansai
JTA Approved

Overview

There are many Buddhist statues enshrined at Shoboji Temple, and the most unusual is a sculpture of Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion, with three faces.

Shoboji Temple in Oharano is known for a dry landscape garden where 16 carefully placed stones represent animals from around the world, including a lion, a frog, and a penguin. The main hall's principal statue is a 1.8-meter gold-plated Kannon with three faces, representing the ability to watch over past, present, and future, carved in the Kamakura period and designated an Important Cultural Property. The 41 painted sliding screens in the reception rooms depict the Nishiyama mountain landscape and were created by a local artist who completed 17 panels while seriously ill, with the remainder finished from her sketches.

Local tips

Remove shoes before entering any hall. Look for a shoe rack at the entrance. Carry a plastic bag for your shoes if none is provided.

Practical info

Japanese name
正法寺
Nearest station
Arashiyama Station (20 min bus)
Payment
Cash only
Reservations
not required
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