Ooyaji Temple standing at the foot of a rocky cliff

My internship at Dokkyo Medical University in 2011 was so fruitful. I have published one paper with the results I had from the experiments I did during my 2-weeks stay there. In addition, I have visited awesome places like the Ooyaji Temple. I always see temples at the top of the hill or mountain, but it was my first time to see one protruding out from the foot of a mountain.

Date: July 24, 2011.

The Ooyaji Temple is about 7 km northwest of central Utsunomiya in Tochigi. From the JR Utsunomiya Station, I took the Kanto bus bound for Oya. After 25 minutes, I reached the Oya-Kannon-Mae bus stop and walked towards the temple for 2 minutes. The admission fee is 300 yen.

This Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect is very interesting since it was built in a hollowed cave at the foot of a rocky cliff. It was established in the year 810 by the Japanese Buddhist monk, Kobo-Daishi (also known as Kuukai).

The gate of the Ooyaji Temple.

When I entered the temple, the monk started to pray in front of the Senjyu Kannon Bosatsu (Oya Kannon). It is a 4-meter high image of the Goddess of Kannon with thousand arms carved on the wall of the temple. They forbid taking pictures inside, but I did took some pictures (i just hope their Gods will forgive me).

Senjyu Kannon Bosatsu

There are other 9 buddhas carved around the walls of the temple namely: the Shaka Sanzon (3 Buddhas of Shaka), the Yakushi Sanzon (3 Buddhas of Yakushi) and the Amida Sanzon (3 Buddhas of Amida). It is said that these statues originally had been covered with brilliant gold leafs.

Shaka Sanzon

Yakushi Sanzon

Amida Sanzon

There is a small museum inside featuring a human skeleton which is said to be the oldest Jomon period skeleton (about 11,000 years old). A garden can also be visited inside.

The garden at the Ooyaji Temple.

Heiwa Kannon

Standing near the temple, about 88 feet high, was the huge statue of the Heiwa Kannon (Kan’non of Peace). It was built in 1954 for the memorial of the World War II victims and for world peace. The place is too remote and there are no restaurant or food stall in the vicinity. I was already starving to death at that time and I had to wait for the bus in about an hour. So be sure you have eaten somewhere else or just bring snacks when you visit this place.

Heiwa Kannon