Hidden Gem Japan: The Fascinating 1200 Faces of the Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
Nestled on the outskirts of Aarashiyama, Kyoto, the Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple is a concealed gem that has certainly had its fair share of hardships in the past. This buddhist temple features a collection of 1200 whimsical statues, all with a different facial expression, which make for one truly captivating sight. The Rakan statues, which represent the disciples of the historical Buddha, are a fairly recent addition to the temple, whose story dates all the way back to the 8th century. But the unusual statues are not the only amazing thing about the temple. Its somewhat tragic history stands to witness how ruthless nature can be and how certain things are meant to stand the test of time (with a bit of human help). Originally, the temple was not built in the far western hills of Aarashiyama, where it stands today. It was actually built in the Higashiyama area in the year 770. The temple was completely washed away when the nearby Kamo-gawa river flooded the banks. It was then reestabli...