Tokoji Temple
temple
東光寺
Small temple on Yunomine riverbanks housing a seated Yakushi Nyorai statue, explaining the town's name origin.
Tokoji Temple sits beside the hot spring river in Yunomine Onsen, one of Japan's oldest onsen villages along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. Inside, a seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing, reflects the longstanding connection between this sacred site and the curative waters outside. The temple is small and intimate, with moss-covered stone steps and the constant sound of the river running past. The springs here are said to have been discovered over 1,800 years ago. After visiting, walk a few steps to Tsuboyu, the tiny bathing hut recognized as the world's only hot spring that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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.
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