Myorakuji [妙楽寺]
Main gate of Myorakuji
Photo by Fukui Prefectual Tourism Federation
Main temple of Myorakuji
Photo by Fukui Prefectual Tourism Federation
Myorakuji is a Buddhist temple of Koyasan Shingon-shu which is a sect of Shingon Buddhism and is one of major Japanese Buddhism.
"O" in the word is pronounced long, so it is read as "Myôrakuji".
It is located about 3.5 km south-southeast of Obama station.
The temple is at the foot of a hill and is surrounded by a forest.
It is said that priest Gyoki carved the principal image of Buddha in 719 and priest Kuukai founded this temple in 797.
It is estimeted that the main temple was built in the 13th century.
And a miniature shrine enshrined in the temple bears an inscription that reads the year 1296.
This is the oldest temple in Wakasa area.
The main gate was rebuilt in 1777.
Senju-Kannon in Myorakuji
Photo by Fukui Prefectual Tourism Federation
Face of Senju-Kannon in Myorakuji
Photo by Fukui Prefectual Tourism Federation
After all, you should see above principal image of Buddha in this temple.
It is called Senju-Kannon (千手観音, Kannon with many hands) in Japanese and is enshrined in the main hall.
The Buddha statue was carved from a single piece of wood.
It has 24 faces, 42 main hands and some other small hands.
The statue was repaired in 1766, and gold foils were coated at that time.
How to get here
Run for 3.5 km by rental bicycle or car from Obama station.
