Takahata Fudoson Kongoji is a very old Buddhist temple complex dating back to around 701 A.D. It's located about 30minutes west of Shinjuku and is a very popular tourist attraction in the small town of Takahata, Hino. Conveniently it is adjacent to a forested hill park which adds to the trip.
The temple is only a few stops from my home so a couple of years ago I went down there to do some sight seeing. Lucky for me it was also hanami season so I was able to get some nice pictures of the sakura as well as take in the beauty of the temple.
A large gatehouse awaits you as you enter the grounds.
These are common at the bigger temple complexes like on Mt. Takao or down in Asakusa, Kamakura, etc.
As you pass through the gates you enter a courtyard and a beautiful sakura tree greets you on your journey.
Not to be outdone, there is a monument consisting of earth's most important resources, stone and wood.
I've pondered on this photo for a while taking my own meaning from it. What it may lack in beauty compared the sakura, it makes up for in it's importance to humanity. An absolutely beautiful monument.
Just behind this monument is an interesting temple building. The folds in the roof are amazing.
It's a detail you don't normally see in buildings. It boldly expresses craftsmanship.
To the left of the courtyard is the landmark pagoda building which can be seen miles away.
Proceeding on past the pagoda there are several, smaller buildings I believe all dedicated to some sort of deity or life experience like luck, success, etc.
One of the buildings had a beautifully carved relief on the entry gate.
Once through the gate you enter a another small courtyard.
At this point you have 2 choices, you can continue on a path that begins to wind up the hill into the forest or turn back to the pagoda. There is a trail beside the pagoda that also winds up the hill which will connect into the trail here. For some reason I decided to back track to the trail by the pagoda.
The start of the trail looking back at the temple grounds.
As I mentioned, this trail will wind up a hill with small shrines to certain deities along the way.
While it's not a huge hill, some parts will drain you a bit.
Along the trail there are clearings that offer cool photo opportunities.
Cemetery up against houses on the backside of the hill.
Just be careful where you step and always look up!
I had never seen a snake climb a tree before and now I'm nervous about walking through the forests in Japan! Snake in Japanese is "Hebi へび"
Finally we wind back down to the temple buildings and some parting photos.
If you ever visit Tokyo, Takahata Fudo is only 30minutes west of Shinjuku on the Keio line. It only costs a few dollars on the train each way and admission to the temple is free. It's a wonderful place to visit with lots of history I didn't go over and you can get some hiking in as well.
More information can be found on their website here: https://www.takahatafudoson.or.jp/en/?page_id=4704
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