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A Temple of the Future? Darumaji, a Daruma Wonderland, is Incredibly Unique!
In Kitahiroshima City, there is a temple called Darumaji, which was newly established in 1998. As its name suggests, it's a temple where you can encounter many Daruma dolls, but its spacious grounds are also said to be filled with many fun and intriguing features.
A temple... that's fun? With our heads full of question marks, we set off to uncover its secrets.
Darumaji Temple in Kitahiroshima City is a Soto Zen school temple. It boasts a vast area of 8,265 square meters and has no fences or gates, allowing anyone to enter freely, regardless of their religious denomination.
The name Darumaji comes from Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. The head priest himself named it, with the desire to return to the origins of Buddhist teachings and to create a place as beloved as Daruma-san himself.
Because of its name, Daruma dolls have been continuously donated to the temple, and it is now overflowing with them. Including those collected by the head priest, the total number exceeds 2,000!
The sight of so many Daruma dolls lined up is nothing short of breathtaking. But don't be surprised just yet. The things that truly overturn the conventional image of a temple are found outside. As mentioned earlier, Darumaji Temple's grounds cover 8,265 square meters. Walking through these grounds, you'll encounter some very mysterious things. For example, this.
You might think it's a mailbox, but a large tongue is sticking out from the mail slot. This is for the "Uso Kuyo" (Tongue Memorial), a place where you can reflect on any lies you've told or slips of the tongue, write a letter of confession, and post it.
The head priest will hold a memorial service for the letters of confession and ritually burn them, so you can rest assured. Still, this incredibly impactful postbox looks like something that might appear in a dream.
Now, a river handmade by the head priest (!) flows through the grounds. It's said to be modeled after the Sanzu River, the Buddhist equivalent of the River Styx, and if you head upstream, you'll find a Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) with a gentle face.
She is called the "Hohoemi Kannon" (Smiling Kannon), and her serene presence in nature is sure to be healing. Incidentally, the grounds also feature not only a river but also a waterfall and a pond, making it a pleasant place for a short walk.
In fact, that is precisely the head priest's intention. The reason for securing such a large plot of land, creating the river and pond, and placing the unique postbox and a statue of Enma (the King of Hell) was to encourage people to visit the temple more casually.
It stems from his earnest wish to bring Japanese people closer to temples. I see, so that's why there are no fences or gates.
When you visit Kitahiroshima, be sure to stop by. It's full of attractions that both children and adults can enjoy, and you're sure to fall in love with Darumaji Temple.
＜Interview Cooperation＞
Darumaji Temple
Location: 242-20 Tomigaoka, Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido
Phone: 011-373-8883
Official Website: https://www.darumaji300years.com
A temple... that's fun? With our heads full of question marks, we set off to uncover its secrets.
Darumaji Temple in Kitahiroshima City is a Soto Zen school temple. It boasts a vast area of 8,265 square meters and has no fences or gates, allowing anyone to enter freely, regardless of their religious denomination.
The name Darumaji comes from Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. The head priest himself named it, with the desire to return to the origins of Buddhist teachings and to create a place as beloved as Daruma-san himself.
Because of its name, Daruma dolls have been continuously donated to the temple, and it is now overflowing with them. Including those collected by the head priest, the total number exceeds 2,000!
The sight of so many Daruma dolls lined up is nothing short of breathtaking. But don't be surprised just yet. The things that truly overturn the conventional image of a temple are found outside. As mentioned earlier, Darumaji Temple's grounds cover 8,265 square meters. Walking through these grounds, you'll encounter some very mysterious things. For example, this.
You might think it's a mailbox, but a large tongue is sticking out from the mail slot. This is for the "Uso Kuyo" (Tongue Memorial), a place where you can reflect on any lies you've told or slips of the tongue, write a letter of confession, and post it.
The head priest will hold a memorial service for the letters of confession and ritually burn them, so you can rest assured. Still, this incredibly impactful postbox looks like something that might appear in a dream.
Now, a river handmade by the head priest (!) flows through the grounds. It's said to be modeled after the Sanzu River, the Buddhist equivalent of the River Styx, and if you head upstream, you'll find a Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) with a gentle face.
She is called the "Hohoemi Kannon" (Smiling Kannon), and her serene presence in nature is sure to be healing. Incidentally, the grounds also feature not only a river but also a waterfall and a pond, making it a pleasant place for a short walk.
In fact, that is precisely the head priest's intention. The reason for securing such a large plot of land, creating the river and pond, and placing the unique postbox and a statue of Enma (the King of Hell) was to encourage people to visit the temple more casually.
It stems from his earnest wish to bring Japanese people closer to temples. I see, so that's why there are no fences or gates.
When you visit Kitahiroshima, be sure to stop by. It's full of attractions that both children and adults can enjoy, and you're sure to fall in love with Darumaji Temple.
＜Interview Cooperation＞
Darumaji Temple
Location: 242-20 Tomigaoka, Kitahiroshima, Hokkaido
Phone: 011-373-8883
Official Website: https://www.darumaji300years.com
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Team Buchineko
We are "Team Buchineko," with many connections to tourist spots and facilities in Hokkaido. Even things that seem ordinary to us living in Hokkaido are wonderful resources. We will share the charms of this wonderful Hokkaido.
