About
Amidst the silence woven by the mountains of Hakone, the cliff-carved Buddhas standing by the shore of Shojin Pond welcome travelers across the flow of time. This place is located at the highest point of the Yusaka Road, which once connected Kyoto and Kamakura, and due to its desolate landscape, it was feared as “Hell.” For this reason, from the end of the Kamakura period to the beginning of the Muromachi period, many Jizo Bodhisattvas were carved into the rock faces, praying for the safety and salvation of travelers. (hakone.or.jp)
The “Rokudo Jizo,” a 3.5-meter-tall figure carved into the rock wall, impresses visitors with its imposing presence. In addition, the group of cliff-carved Buddhas known as the “Twenty-Five Bodhisattvas” consists of 23 figures on the west side and 3 on the east side of National Route 1. Among them, there are 24 standing Jizo Bodhisattvas, 1 standing Amida Nyorai, and 1 standing Kuyo Bodhisattva, each displaying a variety of expressions. (town.hakone.kanagawa.jp)
A major feature of the stone Buddhas and stone towers around Shojin Pond is that they were mostly created during a concentrated period in the late Kamakura period. Most of them depict Jizo Bodhisattvas, showing a deep connection to Jizo worship. At that time, this area was near the highest point of the Yusaka Road, used for crossing Hakone, and due to its steep terrain and desolate scenery, it was regarded as “Hell” and feared by travelers. Therefore, as the belief that “Jizo Bodhisattva saves those who have fallen into hell” spread throughout the country, this place also became a sacred site for Jizo worship to comfort travelers. (hakone.or.jp)
In the Edo period, the route along the Sukumogawa River was developed as the Tokaido, replacing the Yusaka Road, and the Tokaido route became the main thoroughfare. Meanwhile, after the middle of the Edo period, more people began to visit the various hot spring resorts of Hakone Nanayu for therapeutic purposes, deviating from the main road. Among them, the group of stone Buddhas, being close to Ashinoyu Onsen, attracted increasing numbers of visitors during their stays at the hot springs. Along with this, the stone Buddhas and stone towers became associated with the story of the “Soga Brothers,” which was popular in Joruri and Kabuki in Edo at the time, as well as with numerous legends, and came to be known as a tourist attraction. (hakone.or.jp)
Even today, these groups of stone Buddhas are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan and continue to deeply impress visitors. Why not experience the timeless breath of prayer at this place, where the nature and history of Hakone are interwoven?