Pop Japan

Founded by Prince Shotoku in the year 593, the Shitennoji Temple in Osaka prefecture is said to be the first and the oldest temple dedicated to Buddha, which has been officially administered in Japan.

The outer temple grounds and gardens are open to the public. Beyond that point is the Gokuraku-jodo Garden, which requires admission fees. Here travelers can also find the pagoda, which boasts of the beauty of its five storeys. The Main Hall, known as Kondo, is also located in the inner grounds, and the place where a statue of Kannon is kept. This statue is said to be the deitified Prince Shotoku.

Photo by Soramimi. Licensed under Creative Commons. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en)

Tags: prince shotoku, shitennoji temple, osaka, buddha, buddhist temple, japan, gokuraku-jodo garden, pagoda, kondo, main hall, kannon