Close to Izu-Taga station a little way south of the seaside resort of Atami, Hosenji is a small Buddhist temple with a restful atmosphere, notable for the impressive view over the hills and ocean from its graveyard, and a good-sized, diverse population of interesting statues. There are Buddhist deities and pilgrims, some animals by the pond, and a couple of fierce guardian demons by the gate, these being impossible to photograph because of the reflections in the encasing glass.
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.