Deep in the Ohara area, far from Kochidani community, Amida-ji Temple is located along the top of a mountain. Beyond the temple gate, you will find a long mountain path, surrounded by woods viewing hundreds of years of history. Walking the long way to the temple grounds, you will lose your sense of time. I am sure you will enjoy this journey.
In summer time, enjoy sunshine through foliage. Songs of birds and cicadas, and the murmuring of cascades make you cool. This particular cascade is located midway between the gate and the temple grounds. Let’s take a break for a moment, using stream water to purify your hands. The main hall is still a long way from here.
Finally, it is appearing.
This is Jiso no Taki Waterfall. Standing beneath the old Takao maple tree and feasting eyes on the fall splashing, you will definitely want to come back here to see autumn leaves….
This is my favorite scenery. Stopping here to look up at the guest hall, I always feel rewarded for the long walk to come here.
You climb the narrow stone steps up to the temple grounds, looking back sometimes on the way. Under the sky-veiling maple trees, walking along the mossy stone wall, you will find yourself surrounded by greenery, except for the stone steps to walk. This is the feeling of green summer Amida-ji that I deeply love.
When you reach the main hall, gracious stone Buddhist images will welcome you.
Sit on the tatami floor in the main hall and rest your weary legs.
Your fatigue is released and you feel great.
Amida-ji Temple is located on the outskirts of Ohara. So it is very far from the nearest but stop to the gate. From the gate to the temple grounds, a twenty-minute walk or more in the mountain is necessary. I love this journey.
If you prefer to drive, you can go halfway by car. As there is a direct road from the parking lot to the approach, many tourists tend to drive by the gate instead of passing through it. You must make a slight detour to walk the approach leading to the gate. What’s more, there is an impressive and easily-overlooked moss-dressed stone wall beneath the parking lot.
Amida-ji is a Jodo sect temple, however, the gate was designed in the Zen temple style, having a massive structure. Passing through under this symbolic building in the temple, you will feel as if you could step into the spiritual world.
Embracing a huge 800-year-old maple tree, which is a natural treasure, this temple is famous for autumn leaves. In late autumn, it is really nice to walk on the approach covered with a carpet of autumn-colored leaves, feeling the moist mountain air.
For me, the summer is the best season. The mossy stone wall is bright in color, a variety of green is mantling over the entire scenery in front of me, and beautiful sunbeams filtered through the foliage are dancing on the approach. Be sure to take a water bottle or some plastic bottled beverage in the summer. You have a fairly long walk, and there are no vending machines nearby. Have a few breaks along the way, and enjoy the natural colors, sounds, and air!
(Mitsuyuki Nakajima)
※拝観時間は予告なく変更になる場合があります。最新の情報はお電話にてご確認ください。
※Admission time is subject to change without notice. Please call us to confirm the latest information.
