Onomichi｜Three-Story Pagoda from a Five-Story Pagoda: The 600-Year-Old Tenneiji Kaiun Pagoda Built by a Shogun

658 years ago, Ashikaga Yoshiakira, the second shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, vowed to donate Tenneiji Temple. Under the guidance of the Zen master Fumyo Kokushi, the five-story Kaiun Pagoda was built, making Tenneiji an important site for the Seven Buddha Pilgrimage in Onomichi. Due to the less advanced construction techniques and preservation methods of the time, the pagoda was reduced to three stories in the fifth year of the Genroku era due to aging, resulting in its current appearance. The wooden beams and ceiling, along with the faded paintings, still hint at the grandeur of the past. Despite losing two stories, the all-wooden Kaiun Pagoda still exudes the charm of aged timber. Tenneiji was originally founded as a Rinzai sect temple but later transitioned to the Soto sect, primarily enshrining Shakyamuni Buddha. Beside the main hall, there is a spectacular display of 500 Rakan statues, arranged in over ten tiers, each with unique expressions and postures. As photography is not allowed, visitors are encouraged to come and pay their respects in person. Tenneiji is renowned as a temple for praying for health. The main hall enshrines a rubbing Buddha statue, which is said to grant blessings if one prays sincerely and then rubs the part of the statue corresponding to their ailment. As a result, the statue has become shiny from being touched. 🕹️ Address: 17-29 Higashitsuchidocho, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-0033, Japan 🚗 Tenneiji is located a bit far from the station, about a 20-minute walk from Onomichi Station.