This temple in Kyoto is a hidden gem! Otagi Nenbutsuji is home to about 1,200 moss covered stone sta

@vic | serial traveler ✈️

This temple in Kyoto is a hidden gem! Otagi Nenbutsuji is home to about 1,200 moss covered stone sta1:05

vic | serial traveler ✈️tiktokthe post

Discover Otagi Nenbutsuji, a unique temple near Arashiyama Forest in Kyoto, home to over a thousand moss-covered rakan statues, each with its own distinct expression and pose. It's a peaceful, uncrowded gem worth visiting.

2 places · 2 experiences

1
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Tourist attraction · Kyoto
4.4 (24,591)Closed
Creator's voice
A famous bamboo grove in Kyoto, known for its towering bamboo stalks. The creator suggests adding Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple to your list if you plan to visit this forest.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8394, Japan
Experience · 1 place
Offering coins to rakan statues
My husband and I loved walking through this temple and taking in all the different statues. We each chose a rakan that we felt spoke to us, and we placed a coin offering on their heads for good luck. It's a unique and enjoyable way to interact with the temple's art.
2
Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
Buddhist temple
4.7 (3,591)Closed · opens tomorrow 9 AM
Creator's voice
A hidden gem in Kyoto, Otagi Nenbutsuji is a Buddhist temple home to over 1,000 unique, moss-covered rakan (enlightened disciples of Buddha) statues. Most of these statues were added in the 1980s, though the temple itself is centuries old. It's located near the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, making it a great addition to a visit to that area. The remote location means it's not super busy, which is a definite plus. According to the Google Maps overlay, it's a Buddhist temple with sculpted heads, rated 4.7 stars, and opens at 9 AM on Thursdays. Tickets are listed at $3.29.
Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, 2-5 Sagatoriimoto Fukatanicho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8439, Japan
Rakan statues — Over a thousand moss-covered stone statues, each carved by a different person, resulting in completely unique facial expressions and poses. We loved walking through and finding ones that looked like a samurai, one with a tennis racket, and even one with boxing gloves. We chose a rakan that spoke to us and placed a coin offering on its head for good luck.
Experience · 1 place
Ringing the temple bell
We also rang the large temple bell, which adds to the peaceful and immersive experience of visiting Otagi Nenbutsuji.
2
Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
Buddhist temple
4.7 (3,591)Closed · opens tomorrow 9 AM
Creator's voice
A hidden gem in Kyoto, Otagi Nenbutsuji is a Buddhist temple home to over 1,000 unique, moss-covered rakan (enlightened disciples of Buddha) statues. Most of these statues were added in the 1980s, though the temple itself is centuries old. It's located near the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, making it a great addition to a visit to that area. The remote location means it's not super busy, which is a definite plus. According to the Google Maps overlay, it's a Buddhist temple with sculpted heads, rated 4.7 stars, and opens at 9 AM on Thursdays. Tickets are listed at $3.29.
Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, 2-5 Sagatoriimoto Fukatanicho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8439, Japan
Rakan statues — Over a thousand moss-covered stone statues, each carved by a different person, resulting in completely unique facial expressions and poses. We loved walking through and finding ones that looked like a samurai, one with a tennis racket, and even one with boxing gloves. We chose a rakan that spoke to us and placed a coin offering on its head for good luck.