<p>When the temple was first built, there were 108 images of Bishamonten, the Guardian of Buddhist Law, enshrined here. The 33 that remain are unveiled every thirty-three years. The last unveiling was on April 17-18, 2010.</p>

When the temple was first built, there were 108 images of Bishamonten, the Guardian of Buddhist Law, enshrined here. The 33 that remain are unveiled every thirty-three years. The last unveiling was on April 17-18, 2010. (Photo: Sandra Isaka)

Hiraizumi Takkoku-no-Iwaya Temple

1200+ years of history - built into a rock wall

Sandra Isaka Apr 19, 2015 - 1 min read

<p>When the temple was first built, there were 108 images of Bishamonten, the Guardian of Buddhist Law, enshrined here. The 33 that remain are unveiled every thirty-three years. The last unveiling was on April 17-18, 2010.</p>

<p>Visitors pass through three torii gates - the first dates back to the Edo Period and is made of locally quarried stone. The others are bright vermilion-painted wood.</p>

<p>The path leading to the main hall is surrounded by ancient cedar trees.</p>

<p>Visitors pray to Fudo Myo-o, the protector of Buddhism and one of the Wisdom Kings, at this thatched roof sub-temple building.</p>

<p>Takkoku-no-Iwaya is one of the rare examples of 'shimbutsu konsai', a unique combination of temple and shrine.</p>

<p>The pillars of the main hall are painted vermilion red to represent the color of the sunrise.</p>

<p>A statue within the grounds. Note the skull on the end of his spear.</p>

<p>Looking out from the main hall, over the Gamagaike, at the surrounding rice paddies. Gamagaike means 'Toad Pond'.</p>

<p>A bridge over Gamagaike to the Benten-do, a small shrine dedicated to the Goddess Benzaiten - the only female member of Japan's seven lucky gods.</p>

<p>Write your wish on this sword-decorated emma, tie it up, and pray to the deities here for help in making it come true.</p>

<p>The temple is open from 8:00 - 17:00 (18:00 in summer). It is closed on the day after a holiday, during the New Year's holidays, and on Mondays (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday). The entrance fee is 300 yen.</p>

For anyone visiting the World Heritage sites of Hiraizumi, a quick stop at Takkoku-no-Iwaya Bishamondo is a must. This 1,200 year old temple sits overlooking lovely rice paddies and has few visitors. As the site was originally a Shinto shrine, three beautiful torii gates welcome visitors. Within the grounds, the main hall is built into the rock-face and was modeled after Kyoto's famous Kiyomizudera. Be sure to hunt around for the large, impressive Buddha face carving - I completely missed it on my visit!

Sandra Isaka

Sandra Isaka @sandra.isaka

As an intercultural consultant & Japan travel specialist with 20 years in Japan, I love sharing my favorite places with others.