Honko-ji Temple in Shizuoka

A charming temple with a view of the ocean

Peter Sidell Apr 07, 2016 - 1 min read

A boar (I think) and a lion under the eaves

The main statue, of the Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy

Beautifully detailed carvings under the roof

Two fierce statues stand guard at the gate

A small statue with grave markers and offerings

Looking out at the hills behind the temple

If you're visiting the Tokaido Hiroshige Art Museum in the suburbs of Shizuoka city, it's definitely worth taking a little detour to Honko-ji while you're there. A large Buddhist temple with a peaceful atmosphere, it has some beautifully detailed wooden carvings, statues of fierce guardian demons and serene Buddhist deities, and a terraced hillside graveyard commanding fine views over the ocean and the surrounding countryside and hills.

Peter Sidell @peter.sidell

I came to Japan from Manchester, England in 2003, and have travelled a lot since then, around Japan and in Asia. When I'm not working, I write satire and perform stand-up comedy in and around Tokyo. Check YouTube for a taste.