Enjoji Temple

Enjoji Temple can be found in Mineyama.

The main hall is flanked on both sides by large Deva king (guardian god) statues, which were made by a Kyoto Buddhist sculptor.

The main object of worship at Enjoji is a statue of the thousand armed Kannon (deity of compassion), a designated National Important Cultural Asset which was sculpted around the 1100s.

The statue is said to have been donated to the temple by politician Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147-1199 CE), and is normally hidden from public view. It is possible to view the statue once every 33 years on a designated day.

The temple complex was originally must larger, with 25 monk’s dwellings attached, but msot of them were destroyed by countless fires.

The pagoda in front of the main building is designated as a National Important Cultural Asset and is estimated to have been built in 1352.

The temple is free to visit but reservations are required to tour inside the shrine halls.