About
When you step into the grounds of Nihon-ji Temple, which spreads across the southern slope of Mount Nokogiri in Kyonan Town, Chiba Prefecture, you are enveloped by a sensation as if time quietly flows backward. This site, founded in the second year of Jinki (725) by the Buddhist priest Gyoki under the imperial order of Emperor Shomu, is the oldest imperial prayer temple in the Kanto region. The temple grounds cover approximately 100,000 tsubo, where the natural beauty of each season harmonizes with historical heritage, deeply moving the hearts of visitors.
As you proceed along the approach, the first thing that catches your eye is the Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai statue, Japan’s largest stone-carved Buddha, boasting a height of 31.05 meters. This Great Buddha was sculpted over three years by the master craftsman Ono Jingorou Hideaki and his 27 disciples in the third year of Tenmei (1783), and was restored in Showa 44 (1969). Its gentle expression brings a sense of peace deep into the hearts of those who visit.
Continuing further, you will encounter the Hyaku-shaku Kannon. This Kannon statue, about 30 meters tall, was carved over six years at the site of a former stone quarry and was completed in Showa 41 (1966). As the principal deity protecting the safety of maritime, air, and land travel, it attracts the faith of many people.
Deep within the temple grounds, there is a path lined with 1,500 Rakan statues. These groups of stone Buddhas were sculpted by Ono Jingorou and his disciples over 21 years starting in 1779, and the sight of 1,553 Rakan statues lined up is truly overwhelming. Each statue has a different expression, as if reflecting the diverse emotions and forms of humanity.
If you head to the summit area, there is an observation deck called “Jigoku Nozoki” (Peering into Hell). From the tip of the protruding rock, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Boso Peninsula, distant Mt. Fuji, and the Miura Peninsula, but if you look down at your feet, you will see sheer cliffs spreading out below, allowing you to experience the thrill that lives up to its name.
The grounds of Nihon-ji Temple are adorned with flowers of each season. In early summer, about 20,000 hydrangea plants bloom in profusion, delighting the eyes of visitors. In addition, the white flowers of the tung tree and the sweet fragrance of gardenias envelop the temple grounds, allowing you to feel the beautiful harmony woven by nature and history.
When you visit this place, you can truly feel the breath of history and nature that transcends over a thousand years. The Great Buddha, Kannon statue, Rakan statues, and the seasonal scenery of Nihon-ji Temple bring deep emotion and tranquility to the hearts of visitors, leaving them with a desire to return again.