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Fudarakusan-ji Temple: A Journey to Paradise

Explore Fudarakusan-ji Temple in Wakayama, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and starting point for ancient spiritual sea voyages.

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Fudarakusan-ji is a Tendai Buddhist temple in Nachikatsuura, Wakayama, known for the ancient practice of Fudaraku Tokai, where monks set sail to reach the mythical Buddhist paradise of Fudaraku. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it offers a serene glimpse into Japan's spiritual past.

A brief summary to Fudarakusan-ji

Local tips

  • Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere.
  • Explore the Kumano Kodo trail that begins behind the temple for a deeper connection with Japan's spiritual traditions.
  • Check the temple's schedule for special ceremonies or events to gain insights into local traditions.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From JR Kii-Katsuura Station, take the Nachisan Line bus to Nachi Station (approximately 10 minutes). From Nachi Station, it is a short 3-minute walk to Fudarakusan-ji Temple. The bus fare is around 400 yen.

  • Walking

    If you are in the Hamanomiya area, you can walk to Fudarakusan-ji Temple. From the Hamanomiya bus stop, walk south towards the temple, following the signposts. The walk is approximately 500 meters and should take about 10 minutes.

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Discover more about Fudarakusan-ji

Fudarakusan-ji, a Tendai Buddhist temple in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, is a site steeped in history and spiritual significance. Founded over a thousand years ago, the temple is named after Mount Potalaka (Fudaraku in Japanese), the mythical dwelling of the bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. Historically, Fudarakusan-ji faced the Pacific Ocean across a white sandy beach, connecting the mountains and the sea in Kumano's spiritual landscape. While urban development has obscured this view, the temple remains a key point on the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route. It shares a history of Buddhist-Shinto syncretism with other major shrine-temple complexes in the region. The temple is most famous for the practice of Fudaraku Tokai, a ritual where monks would set sail in a small boat, effectively a coffin, with limited supplies, hoping to reach the Pure Land of Fudaraku. This act of self-sacrifice was seen as a way to carry prayers for enlightenment and happiness to Kannon's paradise. A replica of these boats is displayed at the temple. The temple's main deity is a wooden statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon, an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The statue is approximately 170cm tall and was sculpted during the Heian period (794–1185). It is publicly displayed three times a year: January 27, May 17, and July 10. Visitors can also explore Kumano Sansho Omiwa-yashiro, a Shinto shrine located next to the temple. This shrine was once part of a single syncretistic religious complex with Fudarakusan-ji but was separated in the late 19th century. A stone pillar called the Furiwake-ishi marks the junction of the three main Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes on the shrine grounds.

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