Shikoku Island is not only well known for its natural beauty but also is surrounded by 88 historical temples. Today, we will visit Honrakuji Temple located nearby Yoshino River in Mima, Tokushima.

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We can take a train or drive. There are 4 parking lots provided in front of the temple. The small 4 seated car is recommended due to the narrowness of the road.

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Honrakuji Temple was built in 828 C.E. (Heian Period, Emperor Nimmyo) by the priest Eun.

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The admission fee is 300 yen. You can put it in a box by yourself.

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A short introduction, history, and landscape are explained in the leaflet which is written in both Japanese and English.

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The temple is so peaceful. In addition, there is a room for Japanese tea ceremony and the scrupture calligraphy activity.

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A sink to wash hand and mouth is available.

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The pathway to the main pavilion is filled with the many shapes of rock and stone.

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Recorded in Awa Historical book that this temple was set as a center to gather nearby 13 small temples in Sadamitsu, Ichiu, and Iyayama area. This temple is located on Takamaru mountain – 740.9 meters height above sea level, and nearby the Yoshino river.

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This is the Traditional Japanese dry landscape garden. The left hand side rock is a turtle. The middle is a stork bird. Next stone is a boat. These can be implied as wealth and long live.

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Enjoy the beautiful scenery.

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The unique fine art is the way they sweep the gravel.

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This temple has been awarded as a beautiful and peaceful temple since Emperor Meji. It is a must visit place recommended in Awa city tourist handbook.

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Hachisuka, a powerful feudal lord governing Tokushima, nominated this temple to keep his family’s relics.

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You will see the spectacular sweeping pattern of the gravel from the main hall. The building on the right is the Reception Hall.

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A stunning pine tree is decorated in the Reception Hall.

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The hall way is clean and big. There are many functional rooms divided inside. The vegetarian menus for lunchoen are available. The reservation must be made in advance and the minimum is 5 guests per booking.

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You will enjoy seeing the classical old day paintings on the slided doors. Both set lunch menus (6,00 yen) and Bento (4,00 yen) per person are available. The reservation must be made at least 1 week prior to the visit.

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The external glass door made the room brighter. In additional, the internal mulberry paper doors are not only soften the shade of light but also resist the coldness.

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An irori is a traditional Japanese sunken hearth. Used for heating the home and for cooking food, it is essentially a square, stone-lined pit in the floor, equipped with an adjustable pothook – called a jizaikagi  and generally consisting of an iron rod within a bamboo tube – used for raising or lowering a suspended pot or kettle by means of an attached lever which is often decoratively designed in the shape of a fish.

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The building for Japanese tea ceremony is behind the main building. It costs 300 yen to enjoy the tasty green tea.

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Inside the Japanese tea ceremony room.

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The Japanese sandals “Zori” are provided for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the garden.

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The scenery from the top of the Japanese tea ceremony room.

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The best time for photo shooting is from noon to the evening because you will not have to worry about the shadow in any shot.

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Saito Tadakazu who was born in 1939 at Fukushima designed and decorated this beautiful garden behind the temple.

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The garden is also connected to the entrance of the Japanese tea ceremony building.

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Saito Tadakazu was designed several famous gardens, for example, Kanyoji Temple Garden, Shunan City, Yamaguchi and Shojuin Temple Garden, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka.

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The water fall and the runnel, together with many shape of stones and rocks are decorated in the garden.

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The Buddhist stone sculptures are decorated along the walk way.

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It is a circuit style garden with a cliff behind the temple.

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อAmitabha Hall was built by priest Eun who was born in 798 C.E.,Heian Period. The building is for praying.

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Kake Zukuri is a unique technic of Japanese architectural style to tie the wooden pillars horizontally without any metallic nail used. The pillars are assembled with no gap. The most stunning temple in using this technic is Kiyomizudera Temple in Toyko.

Credit:Chill Chill Trip

Credit:Chill Chill Trip

Take off at Oshima Station, then you can walk to the temple. The Suica card is not allowed to use. You must by the ticket or use JR Pass.

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Honrakuji

Address	123 Aza Oshima, Mishima, Anabuki Cho, Mima city, Tokushima
Entrance fee	ค่าเข้า คนละ 300 เยน พิธีชงชา 300 เยน (เสริม) เขียนคัมภีร์ 400 เยน (เสริม)
Opening house	9.00-17.00 เดือนพฤษภาคม ถึง กันยายน 9.00-16.30 เดือนตุลาคม ถึง เมษายน
Website	Honrakuji
How to get there	สถานี JR Abanuki นั่งแท็กซี่ต่อ 10 นาที สถานี JR Oshima เดินต่อ 15 นาที (สถานีนี้ไม่มีแท็กซี่) ทางด่วน Tokushima Expressway ลงที่ Wakimachi interchange ขับต่ออีก 20 นาที