Last weekend, still wanting to see Momiji (autumn leaves), we decided to visit Okuyama Houkouji temple, which is located in Inasachō Okuyama, Hamamatsu city.
If you walk a little further from the main gate of Hokoji Temple, you will find a beautiful Red gate.
There is a place where Gohyaku Rakan (500 Arhats statues) are gathered together. In Buddhism, an arhat is a person who has reached a state of perfection and enlightenment.
After climbing a slightly steep road, you will see a red bridge. Just a little short walk after crossing this bridge, you will arrive at the main hall. You can overlook the road that you walked from the top of the bridge.
At the Hansobo shrine near the main hall, there are thousands of tiny origami (Japanese paper folding art) cranes. The crane has always been a strong symbol of success and good fortune in Japanese culture, and when folded into origami, it is believed that your heart's desire will come true. Which I think is very fascinating.
At Houkouji temple and also at every Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple in Japan, you can buy Omamori, they are Japanese amulets said to provide luck or as a form of protection. They are intended to be put on your phone, purse, wallet, home wall, pocket, etc. If you are interested to know further about Omamori, check out this link https://www.inhamamatsu.com/culture/charm-vermilion-seal.php
You can also try Zen experiences such as eating Shojin Ryori (vegetarian dish), Zazen (Zen meditation), Shakyo (Transcribing sutra), and Shabutsu (Tracing a picture of a Buddhist image). You might need to book some plans. Click this link https://www.inhamamatsu.com/culture/okuyama-houkouji-experience.php for more details.
And if you want to know more about the Houkouji temple and various events held there (like fire festival, Okuyama Hansobo Taisai great prayer, etc), please check iN Hamamatsu website Okuyama Houkouji https://www.inhamamatsu.com/culture/okuyama-houkouji.php
To go to Houkouji temple by bus, Take the "Shiyakusho-Okuyama" line bus (60 minutes ride) at bus stop #15 of the Hamamatsu bus terminal to "Okuyama", then walk a bit.
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