[World Heritage Site, Kinpusenji Temple] Visit the Blue Secret Buddha

Kinpusenji Temple is a component part of the World Heritage Site "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range," and its Zaodo (main hall) and Niomon Gate are designated national treasures. It is the place where En no Gyoja, the founder of Shugendo, performed his 1,000-day ascetic practice in the 7th century, and the current Zaodo Hall was rebuilt in 1592 with the assistance of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and is the second largest ancient wooden building after the Great Buddha Hall of Todaiji Temple. The principal image of Zaodo Hall is the three Zao Gongen statues (Thousand-Armed Kannon, Shaka Nyorai, and Maitreya Bodhisattva), which are Japan's largest secret Buddha statues at 7m tall and are not usually open to the public. Zao Gongen's body and face are blue, and the depiction of its powerful body and angry expression is simply intimidating, but when you visit, a private room about 80cm wide is prepared for each person, and if you open your mind and worship carefully, rather than being frightening, it seems like a guardian deity that protects you from evil. Currently, it will be open to the public until December 1, 2024, but it has been open to the public about once a year so why not visit during one of the openings? In addition, the Niomon Gate was rebuilt in 1338, but is under repair until 2028, and the Kongorikishi statues (Agata 1339, Ungyo 1340) can be viewed at the Nara National Museum. Made by the great sculptor Kosei, it is just as impressive as the Kongorikishi statues at Todaiji Temple (made by Unkei and Kaikei in 1203). Because it is inside the museum, you can view it directly without any unnecessary obstructions, so this is also recommended. It's located inside Nara Park, so it's in a great location. ●Kinpusenji Temple Opening hours: 8:30am - 4pm Admission fee: 800 yen (1600 yen when open to the public) Location: 2498 Yoshinoyama, Yoshino-cho, Yoshino-gun, Nara Prefecture Access: Take the ropeway from Kintetsu Yoshino to Yoshinoyama Station. 10 minutes walk from the station Car: 15 minutes walk from Shimosenbon Parking Lot (parking fee 1000 yen) *It seems that there is a lot of traffic during the cherry blossom season, I think it is better to avoid driving *The secret Buddha will be open to the public until December 1, 2024 (It has been open to the public several times in the past) ●Nara National Museum Opening hours: 9:30-17:00 (Saturday-20:00) (Sometimes open to 20:00 on Fridays) Closed: Mondays Address: 50 Noborioji-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture (Inside Nara Park) Fee: 700 yen (varies during special exhibitions) #0 yen travel autumn #World Heritage Site #Nara #Nara sightseeing #National treasure #Yoshinoyama #Kinpusenji Temple #Blue Buddha #Temples and shrines #Secret Buddha #Open to the public #En no Gyozuno #Shugendo #En no Gyoja #Niomon #Kongo Rikishi statue #Important Cultural Property #Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range #Sacred Sites #Yoshino Town #Nara National Museum