MIYDERA


Charming Japan has long inspired artists and poets to create the best masterpieces that are known all over the world today. Stunning nature and unusual architecture The countries of the rising sun fall in love with themselves at first sight and make travelers come back here again and again. Among the main cultural and historical sights of Japan , the Mi'dar temple (also called Onjo-ji) is very popular, more about which you can read further.

A bit of history

The temple of Miy-dera is located at the foot of Mount Hiii, on the border of two major cities of Kyoto and Shiga. Just a few minutes away is the largest lake in Japan - Biwa , whose area is more than 670 sq. Km. km.

Onjo-ji was founded in 672 by the order of Emperor Tammu, who thus wanted to honor the memory of his murdered brother Tanji. The name "MIYDERA" appeared much later, in the middle of the 9th century, and translated from Japanese means "The Three Wells Temple" - in honor of 3 springs in which locals bathed newborns. Today the monastery is a large temple complex, on the territory of which there are about 40 small Buddhist temples and buildings.

What is interesting about the Mi-dera complex?

The architecture of the building is very interesting. The main hall of the monastery, Kondo, was opened in the late XVI - early XVII centuries. on the site of a dilapidated temple in 672 years of construction. It is the one that causes the greatest interest among tourists. in it are stored the treasures of all Japanese rulers. Unfortunately, you can see the jewels yourself only once a year, on a special day.

Do not worry if your trip does not coincide with this date: in addition to the treasures, on the territory of Miy-dera there are many more interesting things. For example, in the central part of the Kondo Hall, there is a statue of Maitreya - this is the only entity revered by all Buddhist schools, including the direction of sthaviravada - the oldest of all existing. There are also 6 statues of Buddha, the main figure of this religion.

In 1072, in the courtyard of the temple complex, another equally important structure appeared - the Kannon-do monastery, named after the deity Guanyin. In Buddhism, this image symbolizes mercy and grace, so you can often see crowds of praying pilgrims and tourists at the temple.

How to get there?

You can get to the Mi-dera temple complex both independently and by taxi, and by public transport :