This is a temple of the Soto school of Zen Buddhism founded in 1367 by Ashikaga Yoshinori (1330-1367), the second shogun of the Muromachi shogunate.
It is also popular for its weeping cherry blossoms and peonies.
On the temple grounds is Kaiuntō, a famous 25-meter-high three-storied pagoda with a magnificent view of Onomichi, the Seto Inland Sea, and the islands.
It is one of Onomichi’s best scenic views.
Kaiuntō was a five-story pagoda when it was built, but was reconstructed as a three-story pagoda in 1692 when the upper two stories were removed due to severe damage.
The arhats lined up in the “Five Hundred Arhats Hall” (actually 526 arhats, not 500) to the left of the main hall are well worth seeing.
Underneath the five hundred arhats is a zazen hall where visitors can experience zazen meditation for free three times a week in the early morning (from 7:00 on Sundays and from 6:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays).
Reservations are required.
