Saitama

Apr 26, 2015 - 1 min read

Saitama's Taki Fudoson Temple

A collection of wonderful stone statues in Hidaka City

By Sandra Isaka

Community writer

Pray here to Jizo Bosatsu, the protector of travelers, children (especially those who are deceased), expectant mothers, and firemen.

If you peer in from the side, the Jizo has another tiny Jizo balancing on his head!

The main temple buildings sit beside the main road. There is nothing else nearby, except for a small neighborhood.

The ravine, with a small waterfall and statue of Fudo, are directly across the street from the main temple.

Why is this statue picking his nose and the one behind him drinking heavily? A third (just out of the frame) is eating mitarashi dango, a traditional Japanese dessert. Hmmm.

A golden Kannon, or Goddess of Mercy, looks out over the garden.

This incredibly cute Buddha welcomes visitors into the temple grounds.

This is Benzaiten, the only female in Japan's Seven Lucky Gods. Visitors will have to do some hunting to find all 7 - I only saw five, but the others had to be hiding somewhere.

This Amida Buddha stands on the top of the hill looking out over the temple grounds and surrounding countryside.

The statues are located near this pond and are situated on the hill behind it.

When visiting a small temple or shrine that does not charge admission, it is always good to leave a small donation. This statue is looking for a donation too!

This is Buddha as an infant. Although best visited as a quick stop by car, the temple is accessible by mass transportation. It sits along four bus routes originating at Hanno Station. Get off at Taki Fudoson.

For anyone interested in Buddhist statues carved from stone, the small temple, Taki Fudoson, is a hidden treasure. Located along Route 299 (to/from Chichibu), the main temple building sits on the side of the road, but the 'taki' (waterfall) and 'fudo' (one of the five Wisdom Kings and Protector of Buddhism), are across the street in a shallow ravine. Many other stone statues, including Japan's Seven Lucky Gods, are dispersed around a garden and on a small hill.

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Sandra Isaka

By Sandra Isaka

Community writer

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Sherilyn Siy

Sherilyn Siy 5 years ago

I've seen the statue of the one picking his nose on the way to the supermarket. Love it! So human!

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