Tokyo

Nov 8, 2015 - 1 min read

Sacred Temple of Mt Takao

Get closer to the peak as you visit the temple

By Kenny King Hin Choi

Community writer

The path leading up to Yakuoin

The main prayer hall of Yakuoin

A small shrine right behind the main gate

Deities guarding the dead

A stupa that has a somewhat Indian style architecture is in the centre of the cemetery

After the main gate of Yakuoin, more statues greet the arriving visitors with their imposing gestures

The head of a Konoha-tengu guarding the right side of the door

A Tengu also guards the other side

A buddha doesn't have to be big to impress

Together with the stone bases they sit on, they surround a prayer hall with a complete circle

The whole temple complex was built on a hill. Different levels were created in accordance with the landscape, which makes the visit more exciting

Okunoin (奥の院不動堂) is another wonderfully constructed prayer hall, one level higher than the main hall

A small Torii symbolises the entrance to another sacred shrine

Located halfway between the mid-station for cable cars and chair lifts and the top of the mountain, this cultural highlight combines perfectly with the natural beauty in its surroundings. Starting from the grand gate behind the monkey park, a long path lined with prayer plaques and stone lanterns leads its way to the temple complex. The whole temple was built on the slope of Takaosan, which creates different levels connected by stairs and steep footpath. This makes visiting Yakouin more exciting and pleasant than other temples that lie on flat ground.

More info

Find out more about Mount Takao.

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Kenny King Hin Choi

By Kenny King Hin Choi

Community writer

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