(Designated by the national government as a special historic site, an important cultural property, and a place of scenic beauty）
According to legend, Kobo-Daishi carved the main Buddhist image of this temple in 810. Recent research, however, suggests that Nyoho, a disciple of Kanshin Wajo, may have been involved in the temple’s construction in the Nara period (710-784). Carved in the stone walls here are: the main image of the Thousand-armed Goddess of Mercy; the three statues of Shakyamuni; the three statues of Yakushi; and the three statues of Amitabha. Human bones and Jomon pottery dating back 10,000 years have been excavated here. They are displayed on site in the museum.
1198 Oyamachi,Utsunomiya City ℡028-652-0128
Admission: Adults 500 yen, Junior high school students 200 yen,
Elementary school students 100 yen
APR – SEP: 8:30 -17:00 / OCT-MAR: 9:00 -16:30
Reception closes 20 minutes before closing.
Closed:Thu DEC-MAR
DEC 21 – 31 every year （check the website for details）
Oya Kannon, the oldest stone Buddha in Japan
