Hokke-ji Temple Garden, Nara
The Hokke-ji Temple is located near Toin Garden. That is why we decided to visit it. Of course, we were interested not in the temple itself, but in the garden. However, this garden didn't make much of an impression on us. I was thinking whether it was worth placing it here, but then I decided that, perhaps, it will seem interesting to someone.
A bit of history. The temple was originally built by Empress Komyo in the 7th century as the center of all national monasteries. The main object of worship is the statue of the eleven-faced goddess Kannon, whose image is believed to be similar to the empress herself. The statue is a national treasure of Japan.
Previously, the monastery was the residence of her father, Fujiwara Fubito, and only then it was rebuilt into a monastery. The empress was an avid fan of Buddhism, and she erected a five-story pagoda and the western Kofukuji building so that they could pray for her late mother.
Apparently, this place will be interesting for those who are more interested in temples and Japanese history than gardens.
The entrance to the territory of the temple is paid. Moreover, you can pay only for visiting a temple or a temple and garden. We said we were only interested in the garden and were charged 500 yen each.
Entrance gate.
On the right is the cash register.
The territory is well-groomed, it is clear that it is well looked after.
The gazebo hangs over a small pond.
It looks like a fountain, but it not functioning at this time of year.
The main building of the temple.
But this stone reminded me of those that impressed us in the Isui-en garden.
Tiles are stacked next to the temple, each one has inscriptions.
Finally we saw a path that as it seemed to us lead to the garden.
We reached a well that looked like a Shinto altar.
Another path. We went there.
Here we found a garden looked as teagarden.
A large building could be a tea house.
The territory is fenced with a bamboo fence with a gate.
Not far from the house there is a gazebo for waiting, machi-ai.
And the garden.
This small tea garden is the only thing we liked here. Perhaps we could not see everything. There were a lot of dead ends, closed gates.
Already at the exit we saw a small altar with a lantern.
And further the garden began to resemble more our yards or summer cottages.
Chinese ceramic chairs.
This view doesn't associated with Japanese garden.
Perhaps it is more beautiful and interesting here in summer. Perhaps someone will be interested in the temple itself. Perhaps someone has already seen all the gardens in Nara and decides to come here as well. I hope my photos will help you decide whether to do this or not. But we would definitely not come here a second time.
Garden Information:
Address: 882 Hokkeji-cho, Nara City
Opening hours: from 9 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., open all year round
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