Recommended for such people
・ I want to see flashy Buddhist architecture
・ I like the painter Ikuo Hirayama
What is Kousanji Temple?
Kosanji is a temple of the Jodo Shinshu sect on Ikuchijima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture.
It is not just a temple, but a full-scale cave and modern European-style architecture, making it the most difficult temple to categorize in Japan.
Built as "Mother's Temple"
Kosanji Temple was built by a businessman Kosanji Kosanji (former name: Fukumatsu Kanamoto) in his hometown of Ikuchijima with gratitude to his mother.
It is popular as a "mother's temple" where all the mothers in the world are thankful and sincerely join hands.
The highlight of the temple
There are many temples on the premises, but most of them imitate famous Japanese temples.
I will introduce only a few of them.
Koyomon
It is a homage to Nikko Toshogu Shrine in Tochigi Prefecture, and is also called "Nikko in the West".
But don't underestimate it as a fake.
It is an authentic school that was built over XNUMX years by borrowing the drawings of Nikko Toshogu, which was left by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Its gorgeousness is second to none in the real thing.
Main hall
The main hall is built with reference to the Byodoin Phoenix Hall, which is famous for its XNUMX-yen coins.
On the roof, there is also a phoenix statue that appears on the XNUMX yen note.
Chou Sei Kaku
Built as a villa in XNUMX, you can enjoy luxurious interior decoration and gardens.
The building is a mixture of Japanese and Western styles, and the specifications are full of Taisho romance.
The pictured ceiling was especially beautiful, and when I was looking at it, my neck hurt.
Senbutsudoji Gokukyo
The cave is a large one with an underground length of about XNUMXm and a total length of XNUMXm.
It is a visual representation of the teachings of Genshin Sozu, the founder of the Pure Land Buddhism.
Authentic cave
An exciting cave continues.
Small children need to be careful, as some grotesque hell will come out.
Mysterious space
As you proceed, you will find a large area where a large number of Buddha statues are enshrined.
The waterfall is also flowing, and this is the first time for a temple like this.
Statue of the Great Kannon of Salvation
It is modeled after Horyuji Temple in Nara Prefecture, Yumeden, and Hibutsu Salvation Kannon.
The height is as high as XNUMXm, so it is outstandingly powerful.
I feel that the colors are too bright, but the modern rustic wooden Buddha statues are just stripped of paint, and many of them were fluffy at the time of production.
The Hill of Hope (Mirai Shinoka)
A marble garden created by Ito Kuetani, a sculptor from Hiroshima Prefecture, with the theme of family love.
There is a feeling of a different world as if you were warping to Europe.
All marble is made in Italy
The 5000 tons of marble used on the 3000 square meter site is surprising because it was all brought from Italy.
Tower of light
About 11 types of sculptures are on display, and the motif is the 12 heavens of the Buddhist Dharmapala (XNUMX gods who protect Buddhism).
In the case of "Tower of Light", "Niten", which is the deification of the sun, is expressed, and it shows that the sun is setting in the west.
Admission fee and time required
Ticket price isFee * Adult: 1400yenSo, it's not cheap as a temple, but it's more than worth seeing.
The time requiredIt takes about 90 to 120 minutes.
Access
It is recommended to go by ferry from "Mihara Station" where the Shinkansen also stops.
There are two companies, "Maruto Kisen" and "Yumiba Kisen", and there is one flight every 2 minutes, so use it according to your arrival time.
Access: Kousanji official website
Finally
Kosanji is a temple, but it has a cave and modern architecture, and it is a mysterious existence that is delicious three times.
Please enjoy the combination that you can never taste anywhere else..
Tourist information around
Kojoji Temple
It is a temple of the Soto sect located a 10-minute walk from Kosanji Temple.
It takes a little physical strength to reach the summit, but from the summit you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Seto Inland Sea and the three-storied pagoda.
It is also the hometown of Ikuo Hirayama, a famous painter, and he used to play in this mountain when he was a child.
The Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art is also nearby, so if you are interested, let's go.