Mimurotoji (三室戸寺) is a temple in the northern hills of Uji City, founded about 1200 years ago. It is also known as the "flower temple", as its wide temple grounds offer large gardens of some varieties of seasonal flowers. Visitors can view cherry blossoms here around early April, azalea around early May, hydrangea in June, lotuses around July and August, and autumn colors around late November.
The present main hall of Mimurotoji was built in the early 1800s and houses the temple's principle image of the thousand-armed Kannon Bodhisattva. In front of the main hall are statues of an ox and a rabbit. Touching the stone ball in the ox's mouth is believed to lead to victories in your endeavors. You can also make a wish and reach your hands into the stone sphere in front of the rabbit; it is said that your wish would be granted if the egg-shaped object in the sphere is standing.
Within the temple precincts are a beautiful, three tiered vermilion pagoda, an Amida Buddha hall, and a statue of Ugajin, a local deity with the head of an old man and the body of a snake. Patting on the statue of Ugajin is supposed to bring fortune and good luck.
Getting there and around
Bus number 40 runs hourly between JR Uji Station, Keihan Uji Station and Mon-no-mae (門前) bus stop, which is a five minute walk from the temple. The one way ride to the temple costs 230 yen and takes eight minutes from JR Uji Station or three minutes from Keihan Uji Station. Alternatively, it takes about 15 minutes to walk to the temple from Keihan Mimuroto Station or about 20 minutes from Keihan Uji Station or the Uji Bridge.
Hours and Fees
Hours
Admission ends 50 minutes before closing time
Closed
Admission
Typical Visit Duration
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Links and Resources
Japanese
