Myojorinji - Ogaki

I came here for the first time, but the rocks create a mysterious atmosphere. (2022.3.6)

A temple of the Shingon sect near the summit of Mt. Kinsei, where limestone mining is popular. The back side of the mountain has been roughly shaved by repeated mining, but the side with the temple still has abundant nature. The road to the temple is as narrow as the temple explains, when you climb from Nakasendo, you cannot pass by an oncoming vehicle. On the way back, when I passed there, there was an aqueduct without a lid on the side, which was quite thrilling. Turn west at the traffic light on the west side of Kuohashi, pass by the factory of Yabashi Kogyo, and then follow the guidance of "Kokuzo-san" on the telephone pole, and you will be able to go on a relatively wide road. However, the letters are small, so if you don't look closely, you will miss them. In fact, I overlooked the guidance and was quite at a loss. The car navigation also guided the wrong road and stopped the guidance on the way, which was a little frustrating. However, when I arrived at the temple and saw the magnificent view spreading in front of me, such annoyance was blown away in an instant. As it is located on a high mountain, you can get a panoramic view of Ogaki from the bench on the right side of the main hall. I took many pictures with my smartphone. There are many spectacular spots, and the view is outstanding even from the side of the Kuri or in the middle of the approach. The Kokuzo Bosatsu, the principal idol, is a guardian Buddha of the year of the Ox and the year of the Tiger. The main hall was rebuilt in 1863 at the end of the Edo period, and is designated as a cultural property of Ogaki City. Although it is not a very large building, it is a magnificent hall with elaborately designed roof tiles and sculptures, as it was rebuilt by Toda Ujiakira, the teenage feudal lord of the Ogaki domain. .. The main idol, Kokuzo Bosatsu, is a secret Buddha and cannot be seen directly, so the main idol is enshrined at the entrance of the temple. When you enter the back of the main hall, there is a prayer platform in front of you, the statue of Amida Nyorai, which is over 2 meters tall, on the right side, and the life-sized statue of Dainichi Nyorai on the left side. Both are magnificent Buddha statues. You can take off your shoes on the left side of the Gomadan, put them in a shoe box, and enter the inner chancel in the back. I am grateful that you can enter without applying for prayer. When you enter the Chancel, a huge rock rises in front of you. Is this rock the principal image for a moment? However, if you look closely, there is a small door in the hollow of the rock, a light in front of it, an incense burner and a money box. The principal image of the secret Buddha seems to be enshrined in this door. When I entered the Chancel, the prayer had just begun, so I was able to visit while listening to the Buddhist chant of the monk. I feel very grateful. In the precincts, there are other temples such as Niomon, Bell Tower, Kannon-do, Hozo, Zao Gongen-do, Guest Hall, and Kuri. increase. It is a precious bell with the inscription of the 4th year of Meitoku (1393) in the Muromachi period, but it is wonderful to see it right in front of you. There are many other cultural properties, such as the Jizo Bodhisattva Half-Buddhist Statue, which is a nationally designated important cultural property, and the fragment of the Nyoho Keiseki monument, which is a cultural property designated by Gifu Prefecture. These cultural properties are strictly stored in the treasure house next to Kannon-do and cannot be seen normally.

The road from Kinsho Fossil Museum is quite steep, so please be careful if you are new to driving. Iwasu Park on the mountaintop is also spectacular.

The principal idol in the megalith The slope is hard to visit on foot The fossil hall on the way is also a good place

Kokuzo-san in autumn leaves is also wonderful. Myojorinji Temple, which is locally called "Kokuzo-san" It's so local that I don't know how many times I've been there. Such Kokuzo-san, strange stones in the limestone layer and Himeboshi are famous, but at this time of year, they are also famous for cluster amaryllis. The entrance from Akasaka-juku, the steep uphill, and the first person may be surprised. !! You can walk or drive to the top of the mountain. Please be assured that there is a parking lot in front of the gate. The sale of cluster amaryllis at Kokuzo-san is a combination with stone Buddha statues and white cluster amaryllis. Many people with cameras are visiting for that. In addition, the cityscape that can be seen from the route to the main hall may be far away to Nagoya if the weather is good. The fallen leaves of ginkgo after the deepening of autumn are also tasteful. It might be interesting to climb the slope with your own feet ...? Well, it's a place recommended by the locals that you can come to visit at a short time.

I went to Kokuzo for the first time this year too! I felt that there were fewer people than usual, probably because of the influence of the corona, but many people were still visiting. Climbing the mountain at night is cold and difficult, but the night view is wonderful ꙳ ★ * ゜ There were many food stalls lined up. Preparing for firewalking? I could only see it up to, but it was powerful! There are many types of amulets and they are cute. You can also draw fortunes. I'm glad I did my best to climb ?