Admission
- Adult (18+)Free
Ukyo, Kyoto Prefecture
At a Glance
Head priest Kocho Nishimura was a master Buddhist statue sculptor before becoming a monk, and he personally taught over 1,200 novices to carve their own unique rakan statues for the temple.
The temple was physically dismantled and moved from northeast Kyoto to its current Arashiyama location in 1922 to preserve its three remaining Kamakura-period structures from complete ruin.
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Take a taxi from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station (about 5 minutes) or catch bus 62, 72, 92, or 94 to Otagi Dera Mae stop, as the temple's remote hillside location makes it challenging to reach on foot from central Arashiyama.
Visit during weekday mornings or early afternoons to experience the temple in peaceful solitude, as this off-the-beaten-path location is rarely visited by tourists and you may have the entire grounds to yourself.
Expect uneven, mossy hillside paths around the 1,200 stone statues; wear sturdy walking shoes for better footing.
Plan to spend time finding your favorite among the 1,200 unique rakan statues, including whimsical figures holding tennis rackets, Sony Walkmans, sharing sake, or sticking out their tongues, as each was carved by a different amateur visitor between 1981 and 1991. A popular game among visitors is finding the statue that most resembles themselves.
Explore beyond the main temple buildings to discover the moss-covered statues scattered across the hillside, as the green patina makes these 1980s-era sculptures appear much older and adds to their charm.
Bring a camera to capture the whimsical and humorous expressions of the rakan statues, as this temple offers a refreshingly playful contrast to Kyoto's more solemn and serious Buddhist sites.
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The divine spirits venerated at this sacred place
What this place is believed to grant
Fascinating facts about this place
Head priest Kocho Nishimura was a master Buddhist statue sculptor before becoming a monk, and he personally taught over 1,200 novices to carve their own unique rakan statues for the temple.
The temple was physically dismantled and moved from northeast Kyoto to its current Arashiyama location in 1922 to preserve its three remaining Kamakura-period structures from complete ruin.
The 1,200 rakan statues were all carved by amateur visitors between 1981-1991, not professional sculptors, yet some depict disciples holding tennis rackets, Sony Walkmans, and sharing sake!
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji belongs to the Tendai school of Buddhism and sits in Kyoto's Arashiyama hills.
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