🍃 Japan, Kyoto [Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple] | The mysterious world of a thousand arhats

#IntroducingBreathtakingViewsInJapan Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is a hidden gem of a temple in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, famous for its 1,000 Rakan statues. Although it doesn't have the gorgeous architecture of Kinkaku-ji Temple or Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the unique atmosphere created by the handmade Rakan statues attracts many travelers. 📍 Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple 📍 2-5 Fukaya-cho, Saga-Toriimoto, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8439 🚗 Access 🚆 JR: Take the JR Sanin Main Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station, then walk for about 20 minutes 🚶 Walk: Walk for about 15 minutes from the bamboo forest in Arashiyama 🕙 Visiting Information 🕰 Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 (last entrance 16:30) 🌿 Must-see spots 1️⃣ Thousand Rakan Statues There are more than 1,200 Rakan statues lined up on the mountain slope within the temple grounds! If you look closely, you'll see that each one has a different expression and pose, smiling or surprised... It's fun to look for an arhat that looks like you and take a photo with it! 📸 2️⃣ Main Hall The main hall, which is the center of Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple, is not flashy, but it is a calm space with a sense of history. A Buddha statue is enshrined inside the hall, and you can pray quietly. 3️⃣ Bamboo Forest Path A beautiful bamboo forest spreads around the temple, creating a fantastic atmosphere like the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"! The contrast between the lush bamboo and the humorous arhat statues is fascinating. 4️⃣ Warmth of Hand Carving In fact, this arhat statue was hand carved by the head priest over a period of more than 30 years! Each one is filled with the warmth of handwork and the prayers of the head priest. ⛩ Recommended spots in the area 🌿 Tenryu-ji Temple (World Heritage Site) → A Zen temple representing the Arashiyama area. The harmony between the garden and the temple is beautiful, and it is a place where you can feel Japanese culture. 🌉 Togetsukyo Bridge → A symbolic bridge of Arashiyama! It harmonizes with the beautiful water surface of the Hozu River and is also popular as a photogenic spot. 📢 Travel tips ✔ A hidden spot with few tourists! You can enjoy the atmosphere of Kyoto quietly and leisurely ✔ The unique arhat statues are interesting! The humorous expressions are soothing just to look at ✔ The combination of the bamboo forest and the temple is a spectacular sight! Be sure to stop by while sightseeing in Arashiyama It's not a flashy tourist spot, but it's a temple that will warm your heart. If you're traveling to Kyoto, be sure to visit Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple!