Hasedera Temple
Hase-dera is a temple believed to have been established in 686 when the revered priest Domyo installed the Bronze Plaque Hokke-Sesso-Zu (literally, "a picture of Buddha preaching Hokkekyo") in its location in accordance with Emperor Tenmu’s wish.
The long, covered stairway, leading up a gentle slope from the temple’s Nio (Deva) gate to its main hall, gives a distinctive impression to visitors.
Hase-dera is known as a "temple of flowers," as the stone stairway of 399 steps offers sights of various flowers and colors of nature along the way, including cherry blossoms, peonies, hydrangeas, autumnal foliage, and winter-flowering peonies, depending on the season.
