Jun 2, 2016 - 1 min read

Kaifuku-ji Temple in Izu-Taga

A scenic Buddhist temple with a beautiful view

By Peter Sidell

Community writer

A guardian lion by the gate

A cute little chap near the entrance

The view from the graveyard

The Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy

Flowers and a stately pagoda

Ancient statues and bright new pinwheels

A grumpy-looking stone frog

A side shrine attended by some small animals

A Buddhist statue in the grounds

A smaller statue near the Kannon

Bong the bell and make a prayer

A sculpture by Ikeda Masuo

In Izu-Taga, close to Atami on the Izu Peninsula, the main draws for visitors are the relaxed atmosphere, the town's beach and the Ikeda Masuo Art Museum. On the walk back down the hill from the museum, I stopped off at Kaifuku-ji, one of the town's surprisingly numerous Buddhist temples. I enjoyed its range of interesting statues - there are colourful spinning pinwheels attached to the Jizo, guardians of childrens' souls - the sculpture by Ikeda Masuo attached to one of the halls, and the scenic view from the graveyard out over the town and ocean.

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Peter Sidell

By Peter Sidell

Community writer

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