Renkoji temple, Numazu

A restful temple swathed in greenery

Peter Sidell Apr 28, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Flowers and greenery surround you from all sides</p>

<p>The steps up to the gate from the road</p>

<p>This line of statues watch to make sure you behave appropriately</p>

<p>These statues are happier out in the open air</p>

<p>Even in spring, some trees have deep red leaves</p>

<p>This modest statue of the Kannon (Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) stands near the entrance gate</p>

<p>Contemplate the zen garden in front of the main hall</p>

<p>This statue stands sentinel over the graves</p>

<p>Keep off the gravel: stepping-stones lead you to the bell pavilion</p>

<p>This little chap is happy in his shady spot</p>

<p>A big old lantern like this is a fixture of every temple</p>

<p>The road alongside the temple is lined with colorful flowers</p>

A few minutes' walk east of Numazu station, Renkoji is a pretty and peaceful temple, with plenty of features in a small space. There's greenery and seasonal flowers everywhere, with bees buzzing around wisteria hanging from a frame when I visited, and this complements the variety of Buddhist statues and the meditative zen rock garden in front of the main hall. The restful atmosphere makes it a nice place to take a break from the bustle around the station.

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.