五百羅漢

beautifully kept jizo statues and very scenic view of the Japanese alps.

I don't know how many there are actually, but each one has a different face and figure. Even during the day, the trees are deep, giving a dim and solemn feel that calms your mind. The view from the hill on the way here is amazing.

I came here for the first time in a long time in the early morning of November 26, 2023. The 500 Rahats are located on the hill of Chokeiji Temple. You can also see the entire city of Toyama overlooking the Tateyama Mountain Range. Today was a perfect day for autumn leaves, and I was able to find a small autumn leaf. The parking lot can only accommodate about 10 cars, so you may have to wait in line. I'll come back again to see some wonderful autumn leaves!

Is this different from the stone Buddha forest in Osawano? A group of historic stone statues😁 It is located along the eastern slope of Mt. Kureha. Although it is well maintained, it is basically a mountain, so be careful of insects and snakes in the summer. “Chokeiji Temple and the Five Hundred Arhats” Toyama is a Zen temple of the Soto sect. Mt. Karada Chokei-ji Temple was founded in 1786 by Daiosho Hiwa Togo. During the Edo period, the Sakuradani Great Buddha was first erected on the spacious grounds overlooking the Tateyama Mountain Range, and then 500 Arhat stone statues were enshrined one after another, making it a place where many believers visited to meet the Buddha. The Great Buddha was lost during the Meiji era during the Haibutsu Kishaku movement, but the head of the Great Buddha was later donated by a benefactor and is now enshrined in the main hall. In 1799, Zenjiro Kuromakiya, a wealthy merchant who ran a shipping wholesaler, sent out a letter of intent inviting people to erect the 500 Arhat Stone Statues. The stone statue was carved in Sado, transported by ship, and was placed on Mt. Rakan over 50 years. The Arhat statue, which continues to pray for the safety and well-being of those who visit, took on its current appearance after major restoration in 1927. It is also a cultural property designated by Toyama City. ” It seems that it is. According to the signboard.

I was scared of the stairs going down, where if I slipped I could turn into a Buddha. I tripped several times when going up the stairs because I couldn't keep my feet up even when I grabbed the handrail. Arhat-sama, which was reserved for me, felt like an otherworldly space and I was sweating. It was good that it was daytime.