A Hidden Sanctuary of National Treasures and Timeless Faith
Tucked away from crowds and typical tourist routes, Myotsuji Temple offers a moment of stillness, where traditional architecture and the beauty of nature quietly endure together.
This ancient temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism sits gently in the mountains of Obama City, with the temple’s honorific mountain name being Yuzurizan—a traditional title often given to temples in Japan, usually based on their location or historical associations.
It is believed to have been founded in 806, during Japan’s Heian period.
Surrounded by towering cedar trees, the temple grounds invite quiet reflection through the changing seasons.
The temple’s most striking features are its Main Hall and three-story pagoda, both thought to have been constructed during the Kamakura period (1185–1333).
These buildings are designated National Treasures of Japan—a title reserved for the country’s most culturally significant heritage sites.
The Main Hall embodies the refined style of Buddhist architecture from the Kamakura period, known for its structural clarity and simplicity.
It has preserved its quiet dignity over centuries.
The 22-meter-high pagoda, also from the Kamakura era, is celebrated for its graceful balance and exceptional state of preservation—widely considered one of the finest examples of pagoda architecture in Japan.
Inside the Main Hall, visitors will find three significant statues: the seated Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine Buddha) at the center, flanked by standing statues of Gozanze Myo-o and Jinja Taisho.
Gozanze Myo-o, one of the Five Wisdom Kings in esoteric Buddhism, is known for his fierce expression and dynamic posture—symbolizing the power to overcome earthly desires.
Jinja Taisho, a rare guardian deity in Japanese Buddhism, is said to have protected the Chinese monk Xuanzang on his journey to India and is believed to be the origin of the river spirit Sha Wujing in Journey to the West.
All three were crafted in the late Heian period and are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
While the Medicine Buddha exudes calm and healing presence, these two statues project a commanding energy that transforms the hall into a space where serenity and tension co-exist.
These statues are more than historical relics—they embody the realism and spiritual power of medieval Japanese Buddhist sculpture.
For modern visitors, they offer a rare, silent moment of connection with something both deeply human and quietly transcendent.
The temple grounds are surrounded by cedar groves, and the atmosphere shifts with the seasons: the fresh greens of spring, fiery colors of autumn, and the hush of snow in winter.
Myotsuji is not merely a historical site—it is a place where the essence of time and quiet faith continues to breathe.
Season after season, it welcomes visitors into a deep stillness that has remained undisturbed for centuries.
