Okadera（岡寺）

Built 1300 years ago. Okadera, the 7th temple of the Saigoku Sanjusansho Kannon Sacred Sites

Temple of warding off evil spirits (Japan’s first sacred place to warding off evil spirits)
Oka-dera Temple was founded approximately 1,300 years ago during the Tenpyo period by the priest Yoshibuchi at the behest of Emperor Tenji. The main hall enshrines a clay statue (earthen Buddha statue) with a height of 4.6 meters, and is known as the largest Buddha statue in Japan (Nyoirin Kannon seated statue). Furthermore, it is listed as one of Japan’s three great Buddhas and is also designated as an important cultural property.

Three Great Buddhas of Japan
“Bronze statue” of Todaiji Temple Biroshanabutsu (Great Buddha of Nara)
“Wooden statue” of Hasedera Temple’s principal image of Eleven-faced Kanzeon Bodhisattva
“Plastic statue” of Okadera Gohonzon Nyoirin Kannon Bodhisattva
Both are enshrined in Nara Prefecture. In fact, Okadera Temple has a mountain name, a temple name, and a temple name, and its official name is Tokozan Shinjuin Ryugadoji''. However, since ancient times, it has been affectionately calledOka-dera”, which means “Temple on Asuka no Oka”, based on the name of the land. It belongs to the Toyozan sect of the Shingon sect and is the 7th temple among the 33 Kannon sacred sites in Saigoku, and is also famous as Japan’s first sacred place to ward off evil spirits. It is especially worshiped by women as a Kannon to ward off evil spirits.

In addition, the Edo period Shoin (Important Cultural Property) and Niomon Gate (Important Cultural Property) are standing there, and the temple has beautiful seasonal flowers, which is why many people visit. Approximately 3,000 rhododendrons are planted within the precincts of Oka-dera Temple, and the colorful rhododendrons bloom from mid-April to May and into Golden Week. During the Golden Week period, the pond right after entering the Niomon gate, the water fountain, and the pots filled with dahlias are popular as photo spots.

Okadera（岡寺）

Okadera is said to be Japan’s first temple to ward off evil spirits, and the culture of worshiping to ward off evil blossomed in the early Kamakura period. Even now, many worshipers come to ward off evil spirits.