Mimurotoji Temple

Mimuroto-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, and the No. 10 temple on the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage route. According to the temple’s tradition, during the Hoki era (770–780), a gilt-bronze Thousand-Armed Kannon statue with two arms was found upstream on the Shizukawa River deep in the Uji Mountains, and Emperor Konin enshrined it as the principal image, establishing Mimuroto-ji as the temple’s origin. The principal image is enshrined in the main hall, but it is a strictly hidden Buddha and is not publicly photographed or displayed. Within the precincts are the main hall, Amida Hall, a three-story pagoda, and a treasure storehouse. The three-story pagoda stands 16 meters tall and was relocated from Kozo-ji Temple in Sayo District, Hyogo Prefecture. On the broad sloping grounds are two gardens—a karesansui rock garden and a pond-stroll garden—surrounded by outstanding vegetation. Seasonal highlights include azaleas in May (20,000 shrubs), hydrangeas in June (10,000 plants) with illumination light-ups, lotus blossoms in July and August (100 varieties), and autumn foliage, creating beautiful colors throughout the year. Although it is a little away from Uji’s main sightseeing areas, the route from Uji Bridge features stone Buddhas and monuments connected to "The Tale of Genji: The Uji Chapters," making it a pleasant walk as you take in the scenery.