Daisho-in Temple, Hiroshima

Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture, which is one of the three scenic spots in Japan, is famous for its great red torii, which is also registered as a World Heritage Site. Actually, there is a high-class temple called “Daisho-in Temple” in Miyajima as a sacred place.
Daisho-in Temple is located on the slope of Mt. Misen for 5 minutes from “Itsukushimajinja Shrine”, a world heritage site visited by many people every year. The oldest temple in Miyajima, Daisho-in Temple, is said to have been opened in 806 by Kukai (also known as Kobodaishi), and is also the Grand head temple of the Omuro School of the Shingon sect.
The main attractions of the Daisho-in Temple are the “Autumn Leaves Festival of Daisho-in” with beautiful autumn leaves, “Henjokutsu Cave” where you can visit the pilgrimage without traveling to Shikoku, and “Ichigan-Daishi” that will give you one wish.
Daisho-in Temple is famous as a spot where you can see beautiful colored leaves in Hiroshima. From mid-November to the beginning of December is the best time to see autumn leaves. The “Autumn Leaves Festival of Daisho-in”, which takes place around that time, attracts many tourists with the aim of colored leaves.
There is a stairway behind the main hall of Daisho-in Temple, and in the back of the rock that climbs the stairway, there is a “Henjokutsu Cave”. There are 88 Buddha statues in Henjokutsu Cave, which represent the 88 statues of Shikoku. It is said that if you visit 88 bodies from the entrance on the regular route, you will get the same benefits as visiting the pilgrimage.
Behind Daishido Hall, which enshrined Kukai, there is a Jizo (stone statue) called “Ichigan-Daishi”. Ichigan-Daishi is said to fulfill only one wish, and is also known as one of Miyajima’s sacred places. Around Jizo, many Ema (a votive horse tablet) with wishes written are suspended.
There are many attractions in Daisho-in Temple. It is really wasteful to go to Miyajima and go back just by visiting Itsukushimajinja Shrine. Please visit Daisho-in Temple.

The famous temple of Miyajima

It is said that Daisho-in Temple was founded by Kukai (also known as Kobodaishi). It is the famous temple of Miyajima, which is united with Itsukushima-jinja Shrine for many years, and has also been engaged in management of the shrine. It has been worshipped by powerful rulers such as the Ashikaga Shogunate family, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, Hirobumi Ito, including the Taira clan. The relation with the Imperial Family was deep, and there is the main hall of a Buddhist temple built by the Emperor Toba, and emperor Meiji stayed at this temple when he visited here. It has deep relation with the Sangaku-shinko (the traditional Japanese mountain worship) of Mt. Misen.

The garden is also beautiful

There are many benefit in the precincts, so many worshipers, who expecting every wish such as peace to the household and prosperity to the business! at once, come.
The garden is also beautiful and the view of the Inland Sea, which is visible from the entrance of the precincts of the temple, is also an unparalleled view.

The place which illuminates fortunate fire

The Henjokutsu Cave is in the basement of Daishido (hall for the Great Teacher) of Daisho-in Temple, and the principal image of the 88 shrines of Shikoku island is installed there. The name of “Henjokutsu” has the meaning “the place which illuminates fortunate fire”, in order to make a world peaceful. The sand of Shikoku 88 sacred places is buried in front of the principal image. So sand treading has the same effect as the act of making a pilgrimage through the 88 shrines of Shikoku island in Japan

Small wooden Acala lines up

The Chokugan-do (Hall built by Emperor’s behest) in the precincts. anyone can observe Inside the Hall. Small wooden Acala lines up in the row, and the spectacle is the highlight. Namikiri Fudomyoo (the Buddhist god Acalanatha) is enshrined in the center, and Gomakito (be blessed by a priest) is performed in front of it.

The precincts are surrounded by the red maple

In the season of colored leaves of November is the most beautiful time in a year. The precincts of the temple are surrounded by the red maple. “Autumn Leaves Festival of Daisho-in” is held, too.

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