Address: 31-5 Nasukawacho, Morioka, Iwate 020-0016, Japan
Hours: Closed ⋅ Opens 9 AM
Phone: +81 19-651-4415
Opened: 1394
Hōonji Temple (500 Rakan) in Morioka, Japan
Hōon-ji (Ho-onji temple [報恩寺]) is a Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple located in the city of Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. Its main image is a statue of Shaka Nyōrai, although the temple is more famous for its statues of the 500 Rakan. Wikipedia
Ho-onji is a temple of the Soto Zen sect of Japanese Buddhism. It is located about 1.3 km north of Iwate Park. In Japanese, the first “o” in the word is pronounced long, so it is read as “Hô-onji”. This temple was established by Nanbu Yukimori, a lord in this area, in 1362. It was moved to this place in 1601. The main hall was rebuilt in 1851, and the main gate was built in 1978.
Especially, the highlight of this temple is Gohyaku-Rakan (五百羅漢) in Rakando hall. “Gohyaku” means “500”, and “Rakan” means “the disciple of Buddha”.
In this hall, there are 499 Rakan statues are contained. (One Rakan may be lost.) These are put on the five-tier shelf. Rakando hall was built in 1735. It is assumed that the hall was built because the 500 Rakan statues had been completed. The 500 wooden Rakan statues were carved by nine sculptors in Kyoto between 1731 and 1734. The facial expressions and actions of the statues are all different. In addition, we may be able to find the statues of foreigners such as Marco Polo (an Italian merchant in the 14th century) and Kublai Khan (a Mongol Empire in the 13th century). Source: travel-around-japan.com
An ancient temple that is outstanding in Buddhist art Carved woodwork on the front door and more than 500 golden Bodhisattvas are the ultimate beauty.
How to get here:
- By loop bus “Denden Mushi”, get off at “Honcho-dori Icchome” stop. About 11 minutes from Morioka station. Then, about 700 meters walk.
General Information
Address: 岩手県盛岡市名須川町31-5
Prices: Adults: 300 yen, elementary school students: 100 yen
Opening Times: 09:00-16:00
Car Park: Yes
Directions:
● About 15 minutes by bus from JR Morioka Station
● About 15 minutes from Morioka Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway
