Imakoyasan (Ryugeji Temple and Nyu Shrine)

Mount Koya is a sacred site said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi (Kukai) approximately 1,200 years ago. Ryugeji Temple and Nyu Shrine are designated as Hiroshima Prefecture historic sites, as they are valuable historical sites that convey the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism to the present day. During the Heian period, the temple flourished as the center of the Koyasan domain, Otasho. Otasho was a manor ruled by the family of Taira no Kiyomori and was known for producing high-quality rice. The harvested rice tax was transported from Onomichi to Koyasan in Kishu. The temple grounds are known as one of the prefecture's most scenic spots, with cherry blossoms blooming along the approach in spring and the entire mountain, centered around Kaminoike Pond, covered in autumn foliage. The vermilion-lacquered Konohashi Bridge and the natural scenery create a beautiful landscape that captures the beauty of each season, making it a popular photo spot. The temple grounds, surrounded by a dignified atmosphere, are dotted with old buildings, allowing visitors to enjoy a leisurely stroll while enjoying the charming atmosphere. At Fukuchiin, a cafe renovated from an Edo-period temple lodging, you can enjoy Japanese tea and sweets after a stroll. The view from the Kojoyama Observatory (approximately 30 minutes) and the pilgrimage to the 88 stone Buddha statues scattered across the mountain behind the temple (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes) are popular activities. Ryugeji Temple's annual fire-walking goma ceremony on April 20th and the annual public unveiling of two wooden eleven-faced Kannon statues from the Heian period on August 20th attract many visitors. Nyu Shrine is home to numerous valuable cultural assets, including a lion's head made in the Kamakura period and statues of the Nyu and Koya Myojin deities. The grounds are home to five nationally designated Important Cultural Properties. The Otasho History Museum on the premises offers a deeper look into the history of the area.