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Yatadera Temple
A beautiful mountain temple where hydrangeas and Jizo statues welcome you.
Located on the east side of Yata Hill, halfway up Mt. Yata, its official name is "Kongosan-ji Temple". The temple was built in 679, after Prince Oama visited Mt. Yata to pray for victory in the Jinshin War. It is said to be the birthplace of Jizo in Japan, and houses Japan's oldest enmei Jizo Bosatsu (Jizo Bodhisattva).
The principal image is a standing Jizo Bosatsu (Jizo Bodhisattva), designated as a National Important Cultural Property. The main hall, located in the center of the temple grounds, is a tangible cultural property designated by Nara Prefecture, and has many other valuable cultural properties, including "Kaiga Kenponchakushoku Yatajizouengi". On the hill behind the main hall is the "Yatadera 88 sacred site" where visitors can visit stone Buddhist statues representing the 88 sacred sites on Shikoku Island.
The temple is also known as "Ajisai-dera" (Hydrangea Temple) because of the magnificent blue, purple, and pink hydrangeas that bloom in the vast 25,000㎡ grounds. It is a popular spot visited by many tourists during the rainy season from June to July.
Highlights
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This is a mountain temple located halfway up Mount Yata and should be visited as if you were climbing a mountain.
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The temple is the birthplace of Jizo in Japan and is home to the oldest Jizo Bosatsu (Jizo Bodhisattva).
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The temple is an old temple with a rich history and culture, and is home to many valuable cultural assets.
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The temple is also known as "Ajisai-dera" (temple of hydrangeas) because of the 10,000 plants that bloom during the rainy season.
Photos
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![It is affectionately known as "Yata no Jizo-san."]()
It is affectionately known as "Yata no Jizo-san."
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![The valuable vermilion-lacquered main hall, a tangible cultural property designated by Nara Prefecture]()
The valuable vermilion-lacquered main hall, a tangible cultural property designated by Nara Prefecture
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!["Kenponchakushoku Yatajizouengi"]()
"Kenponchakushoku Yatajizouengi"
Reviews
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 矢田寺
- Postal Code
- 639-1058
- Address
- 3549 Yatacho, Yamatokoriyama City, Nara
- Telephone
- 0743-53-1445
- Closed
- Open every day
- Hours
- 8:30am - 5:00pm
- Admission
- Paid only from the end of May to the beginning of July (500 yen for adults, 200 yen for elementary school students)
- Directions
- About a 10-minute walk from Nara Kotsu Bus "Yatadera-mae" bus stop
- Official Website
- Official Website (English)