Experience A Buddhist Mountain Retreat

Although not a protected UNESCO site, like the A-bomb dome and Itsukushima shrine on Miyajima, Fudoin is an important cultural and historical treasure according to the information at the shrine.

The day I visited was quite overcast, but I was still intrigued by the temple grounds. The front gate had the two evil sneering guardian statues behind a dirty, rusty fence and there were hand woven sandals hanging from the front gate- reminding me that this must be on a pilgrimage route. There is a statue of a pilgrim wearing similar hand woven sandals and in traditional costume just inside the gate.

Although I couldn't seen inside the main building, the temple at the back, the red laquered pagoda on the side, the many interesting statues and the red tori and fox shrine at the back kept my interest for at least an hour.

The Fudoin temple grounds were very serene and beautiful when I visited. A few visitors and worshippers came and went while I wandered around taking it all in. I love the sounds of the katakatakata when someone pulls the large prayer beads in front of the temple while making an offering.

I was entranced by the vivid green momiji leaves in stark contrast to the red tori gate and fox shrine as well as in juxtaposition of the sweeping roof corners of the temple. It seemed quite magical somehow.

To be honest, if you only have time to visit one temple during a visit to Hiroshima, I think I would still recommend Mitaki temple as a more beautiful, interesting temple experience. However, if you have time to come to Fudoin for an hour or two as well, I am sure you will find it a worthwhile experience.

Apparently Fudoin is a significant temple in Hiroshima city as it was one of the few temples that survived the A-bomb blast. It is estimated to have been built around 1540 in another location and later moved to this area. The famous brothers who built it used a rare architectural "Kaga" style, building the roof with very long wooden beams.

There is also supposed to be beautiful paintings of beautiful maidens on the ceiling and a sitting Yakushi Buddha statue in the main building- but since this is under renovation until August 2014, I'll get back to you about that part when I revisit next year.

Fudoin temple is hidden back from a main road near the Otagawa river and can easily be accessed by Astram monorail (Fudoin-mae station). It is also quite a nice cycle from the station area just past the town of Ushita.