Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple

Atago Nenbutsu-ji Temple is a Tendai Buddhist temple located in Sagano, Kyoto. In the Nara period, it was founded as Atago-dera in Kyoto’s Higashiyama area by Empress Shotoku, the daughter of Emperor Shomu. Flooding of the Kamo River washed away the temple buildings and it became nearly abandoned, but it was restored by Senkan under the आदेश of Emperor Daigo. Although it was once rebuilt, the temple repeatedly declined and revived, and in the Taisho period it was relocated to its current site. Later, the Buddhist sculptor Kocho Nishimura became the head priest, and restoration began for what was once called Kyoto’s most run-down temple. In 1981, the "Showa Rakan Carvings" began, in which ordinary worshippers carved and dedicated their own statues. The original goal was 500 figures, but after 10 years the number reached 1,200, and the richly expressive rakan statues warmly welcome visitors. The principal image is the Thousand-Armed Kannon for protection from misfortune. The ceiling inside the main hall features a delicate coffered design, preserving beautiful Kamakura-style curves rarely seen elsewhere. Located at the farthest end of the Sagano sightseeing area, it is also known as a starting point for exploring Sagano, since from here you can tour downhill.