Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple in Kyoto: Highlights and Personal Photos with Insights into 1,200 Expressive Rakan Statues

2024-09-13

Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple is known as a ‘healing temple’ where 1,200 expressive Rakan statues line up, soothing the hearts of its visitors.

This article will share the highlights of Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, along with some personal photographs.

Getting to Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple from Kyoto Station

The most convenient way to reach Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple from Kyoto Station is by train and bus.

STEP

Board the JR Sagano(San-in) Line at Kyoto Station.

The JR Sagano(San-in) Line is located on platform 32 or 33. It can be accessed from either platform 32 or 33.

STEP

Disembark at JR Saga-Arashiyama Station.

It takes about 20 minutes to get here from Kyoto Station.

STEP

Take the Kyoto Bus bound for Kiyotaki from the “Nonomiya” bus stop. It’s about a 500-meter (8-minute) walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station to the bus stop.

After exitting the ticket gate, turn left and exit the station from the south gate.

Here is the Google map for the “Nonomiya” bus stop.

STEP

Disembark at “Otagidera-mae” bus stop. It takes about 12 minutes.

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is right in front of the bus stop.

At the entrance, there is an impressive Niomon statues that was quite breathtaking.

Highlights of Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple

Once you enter, there’s a set of stairs right next to the entrance that you’ll start climbing.

As you go up the stairs, you’ll immediately be greeted by numerous stone statues called “Rakan.” In Buddhism, “Rakan” refers to enlightened disciples who have freed themselves from all worldly desires. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji is home to an incredible 1,200 of these Rakan statues!

At the top of the stairs, you’ll find the main hall, and even more Rakan statues are waiting there. One fascinating part of Otagi Nenbutsu-ji’s story is its difficult past. After a typhoon in 1950, the temple was abandoned and even referred to as Kyoto’s most dilapidated temple. But here’s the surprising part—the 1,200 Rakan statues in the temple grounds were actually carved by regular worshippers over a 10-year period starting in 1979 as part of the temple’s revival. I was amazed to learn that! The current beauty of the temple makes it hard to imagine it was once in such disrepair.

What’s even more impressive is that the Rakan statues were all crafted by everyday people. There’s a magical atmosphere here that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a Studio Ghibli movie. The moss that’s grown over the statues over the past 40 years adds to their charm.

Each of the Rakan statues has a different expression, and they’re so gentle and heartwarming. I loved taking my time to look at each one—they all have their own unique character.

Here’s one holding what looks like a cat (?!).

And here’s another one, sharing a drink with a companion, looking completely relaxed and at peace.

On the way back, you’ll come across the “Sanpo no Kane” (Three Treasures Bell). It’s rare to find three bells placed together like this at a temple, making it quite special. The contrast between the bells and the surrounding moss is particularly striking.

At the base of the stairs, there are even more Rakan statues. In particular, there was a statue of a Rakan raising both hands and laughing joyfully, and the sight was so cheerful that it left a lasting impression on me.