This attractive temple in Nagatsuta looks very striking from the street because of its tile-capped white wall and very beautiful gate. It has a number of interesting statues including some impressively scary gate guardians. The main hall is also a beautiful building, and you should make sure you don't miss the strange and wonderful carved beasts under the eaves.
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Dairin-ji in Kanagawa
Strange carved beasts under the eaves
By Cathy Cawood
Community writer
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Justin Velgus
9 years ago
Those elephant like things are called "baku." These mythcial creatures eat nightmares, so despite their bizarre appearance (like the gate guardians), they are actually there to expel evil energy.
They eat nightmares? How cool is that!
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