Moryo-ji

Moryo-ji Temple is famous as the stage of the children's song "Bunbuku Chagama". In the first year of Genki (1570), during the tenure of the then head priest Tsukifune Masahatsu, a thousand-person Buddhist service was held. To accommodate the large number of visitors, a tea kettle was needed, and it is said that the Bunbuku Chagama was made at this temple. Along the approach to Moryo-ji Temple, 23 tanuki (raccoon dogs) are lined up, named after the episode in the old tale "Bunbuku Chagama" where the tanuki visited the temple with money and made the Bunbuku Chagama. In addition to being the stage of the children's song "Bunbuku Chagama", there are many attractive elements for visitors, such as goshuin (temple seal) and omamori (amulet).

Moryo-ji Temple is known for its many tanuki statues. The temple's approach is lined with 23 tanuki statues, welcoming visitors who come to worship. Among many lucky charms, Moryo-ji's tanuki statues are one of the reasons why they are so popular. When passing through the mountain gate, there is also a tanuki statue donated by Tobu Railway in 1960, which is also a must-see point. In the precincts of Moryo-ji Temple, there are also 21 Shigaraki-yaki tanuki statues. Moryo-ji's tanuki statues are loved by many tourists for their cuteness and popularity as lucky charms. In addition, Moryo-ji Temple itself is an old temple that appears in fairy tales and is loved by local people. Visiting Moryo-ji Temple will be a valuable opportunity to experience history and tradition along with many tanuki statues!

At Morin-ji Temple, you can enjoy the beauty of each season in the garden. In spring, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and you can see the beautiful scenery of the cherry blossoms reflected in the pond in the garden. In summer, the trees are lush and you can feel the refreshing breeze. In autumn, the autumn leaves are beautiful, and it's fun to walk on the fallen leaves. In winter, the snow scenery is beautiful, and you can enjoy a quiet atmosphere. In addition, there are various sizes of ponds in the garden, and the stone work around the pond creates a charming landscape. Morin-ji Temple's garden is a beautiful garden in harmony with nature, where you can enjoy the expressions of each season, making it worth a visit!

The interior of the main hall at Morin-ji Temple is a spacious and quiet space. The main statue, a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, as well as many other Buddhist statues and sculptures are enshrined there. In particular, the statue of the founder, Dairin Shojun Daiosho, has a powerful and impressive presence. Additionally, the ceiling of the main hall is adorned with beautiful sculptures, which showcase the intricate techniques used. While photography with cameras and mobile phones is prohibited inside the main hall, this restriction allows for a valuable experience of actually seeing and feeling the space with your own eyes!

There are various types of souvenirs available in the town near Morin-ji Temple. Morin-ji Temple is famous for being mentioned in the Karuta poem "Bunbuku Chagama no Morin-ji" and is well-known, attracting many tourists. As a result, the souvenirs are also abundant, with Tanuki goods being particularly popular. Tanuki figurines, stuffed animals, and souvenir sweets all feature designs with Tanuki. In addition, there is a wide variety of Japanese sweets such as tea and manju, and "Bunbuku Chagama Manju" is an attractive souvenir that allows you to learn about the history and origin of Morin-ji Temple. According to reliable sources [1][2], Tanuki goods and Japanese sweets can be purchased in the town near Morin-ji Temple. These souvenirs allow you to experience the attractive history and culture of Morin-ji Temple, making them wonderful memories for travelers!