Adashino Nenbutsuji

At the hilltop temple of Adashino Nenbutsuji in Kyoto, thousands of stone Buddha statues mourn the dead who have been brought here since the Heian period. The main hall contains a medieval Amida Buddha.

From the Heian (794-1185) to Edo (1603-1868) periods, the destitute of the Adashino area brought their dead to this hill, leaving the bodies exposed to the elements. Receiving no tombstone or proper burial, their souls were honored by stone Buddhas.

The main temple hall at Adashino Nenbutsuji was built in 1712.

A 30-minute walk along a country lane from Saga Arashiyama leads past Nison-in, souvenir shops, and noodle restaurants before heading up a small hill. Here a beautiful bamboo path surrounds visitors in green as they approach the temple.

The primary focus of the temple is the extraordinary field of about 8,000 roughly-carved stone Buddhas, who honor the souls of the dead that were left here. The sight is especially evocative in the late afternoon, as the shadows beneath the figures lengthen.

The main temple hall, built in 1712, contains a medieval sculpture of the Amida Buddha created by Tankei in the Kamakura Era (1185-1333).