Located in Ukyo Ward of Kyoto City, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple silently sits in the woods of Sagano area. The principal image of this temple is Senju Kannon (the Goddess of Mercy with 1,000 hands). People call this temple The Temple of 1,200 Rakan (the stone statues of Buddha's disciples). It is also known as a starting point for exploring Sagano, as it is located at the foot of the Mount Otagi where a hiking trail begins.
There are temples that have 500 Rakan statues, but none that have as many as the 1,200 Rakan statues you can see in this temple. If you visit here, the 1,200 Rakan statues sitting among the trees will welcome and entertain you with various faces.
Probably because it's not well-known by tourists, at the height of the autumn season there was almost nobody inside the temple. I could enjoy the tranquility by myself, and so you can if you visit this temple with 1,200 Rakan statues!
