Historic Site Doto

Onoji Temple of the Shingon sect is one of 49 temples founded by Gyoki, a prominent Buddhist monk from Sakai who was active during the Nara period. Across the road to the southeast of the temple stands Doto, the Buddhist tower of Onoji Temple.

Doto is a 13-tiered pyramid-shaped structure measuring 53.1 meters on each side and over 8.6 meters in height. A huge number of roof tiles inscribed with the names of people believed to have been involved in its construction, including monks and local powerful families, have been excavated, and it is thought that the tower’s surface was tiled to prevent collapse caused by wind and rain. The ruins of this tiled, pyramid-shaped Buddhist tower are exceptionally rare, said to be the only ones of their kind in Japan, and were designated a National Historic Site in 1953. Some excavated items, including roof tiles, have also been designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. After archaeological excavations, Doto was restored and redeveloped in 2008.

Near Doto, you can see a three-dimensional model recreating how it looked at the time, along with explanatory panels. The surrounding area has been developed as a park, where there is also a sign marking a kiln site from the Kofun period discovered during the park’s construction.