Eerie beauty, stone statues, serene temples: Strolling through a secret part of Arashiyama.
Do you want to visit temples with thousands of stone statues curiously looking at you? Sounds creepy, isn’t it? This was pretty much our morning in Arashiyama. Cold breeze, bird chirps, no crowd and thousands of stone statues around. You will get goosebumps or may be a spiritual chill just by entering these places.
I am talking about two such temples, situated in the northern part of Arashiyama: Otagi Nenbutsuji, Adashino Nenbutsuji.
Known for its extensive collection of small stone statues, each with a unique expression, Otagi Nenbutsuji was our first unique temple experience at this region of Kyoto. The statues were mostly carved by amateurs, reflecting a wide range of emotions and personalities. The temple is renowned for it’s serene atmosphere, beautiful natural surroundings and by far the best temple we have visited in Kyoto.
The minute you step inside, starts an insoluble dilemma of whether to explore more or get out immediately. It will often make you think whether those statues are in fact made of stones. It’s almost like the creators are playing with your mind. I guess that’s the magic of art.
The experience does not end here. known for its eerie and somewhat haunting atmosphere, Adashino Nenbutsuji was next on our temple exploration list. This temple is famous for it’s “Nenbutsu” statues, which are stone monuments dedicated to the souls of the deceased. These statues are arranged in rows and clusters throughout the temple grounds, creating a haunting and somber atmosphere. Some statues are weathered and worn, adding to the sense of age and history.
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji involves its connection to the legend of the “Lonely Souls.” According to local folklore, the area around the temple was once a burial ground for the destitute and forgotten. It’s said that the souls of these abandoned individuals lingered in the area, seeking solace and remembrance. The Nenbutsu statues were kept providing a place for these lonely souls to find peace in the afterlife.
The temple’s remote location, surrounded by bamboo groves and forests, adds to it’s eerie ambiance. Visitors often describe feeling a sense of solemnity and reverence as they wander among the statues, especially during quiet moments when the wind whispers through the trees. We are still in the awe and there is bit of a disbelief that such temples even exist.
An unforgettable stroll through the unknown streets of Arashiyama.
