In the year 663 during the Asuka period, this ancient temple was built by the monk Gien, from the wishes of Emperor Tenji. It became Japan’s first sacred site to ward off evil. It is known as “Okadera” as it is located in Oka, but its real name is Ryugaiji temple. It is named after a legend when the monk Gien sealed an evil dragon that attacked the lands of Asuka and its farmers. Gien sealed this dragon inside a lake, and trapped it with a giant rock, eventually reforming the dragon. The legend of this dragon hence became a praying ground to ward off evil spirits, and its legend and praying continues to this day.
The main pavilion located in the middle of the mountain, easily noticeable due to its large stature is inhabited by the main deity, the Nyoirin Kannon Bodhisattva Seated Statue. This statue is at 4.85m in height, making it Japan’s largest. It is counted as one of Japan’s three Buddha statues alongside the bronze Todaiji Rushana Buddha (Nara) and the wooden Hasedera Eleven-Faced Kannon Bodhisattva.
It is also known as the “Flower Temple”, with more than 3000 organisms of Rhododendrons. Every golden week, the pink flowers bloom, adorning the premises. Around the same time, an event has Dahlia flowers floating on the lake and water well. The Autumn leaves are a breathtaking beauty.
Highlights
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Pray for good health at Japan's first sacred site for exorcism of bad luck.
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The main image of the Buddha, one of the three great Buddhist statues in Japan, is worth praying for good health.
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The flowers and autumn leaves that decorate the grounds of the temple are also worth seeing.
