Once you enter a small alley from Teramachidori ( Temple Street ) , you will step into a world of serenity away from the city clamor; then, suddenly appears the magnificent gate of Hoonji Temple, a historical Zen-sect temple. The temple is known for its statues known as 500 Buddhist Disciples, which were made between 1731 and 1735 by 9 Buddhist image sculptors from Kyoto. The number “500” is not literal but a figure of speech meaning “many.” There are actually 499 lacquered wooden statues, each with a different expression and pose; you might be able to find statues of Marco Polo and Kublai Khan among them.
No photos in the Temple.
VENUE DETAILS
- Address
- 31-5 Nasukawa-cho, Morioka City, Iwate
020-0016 岩手県盛岡市名須川町31-5 - Hours
- 9:00-16:00
- Regular holidays
- Open every day
- Admission
- adults 300 yen; elementary school students 100 yen
- Access 1
- Bus from JR Morioka Station Matsuzono-Morioka Station Line; Kitayama Line; Sakura Danchi Line Get on at Morioka Station East Exit Boarding Area 11 Get off at Kitayama; 5 min. on foot from the stop 10 min. 019-662-2111 ( Iwateken Kotsu Matsuzono Office )
- Access 2
- Taxi About 10 min. from JR Morioka Station
- Access 3
- Bicycle Rental Sasaki Bicycle Shop 9:00-18:00 12 bicycles available 019-624-2692
- Access 4
- Car About 25 min. from Morioka IC