Unganji Temple in Tochigi

Unganji Temple in Tochigi

Unganji Temple is located in Kurobane town, the north-east of Tochigi Prefecture in the Abukuma Mountain Range. It was built in 1283 by a high priest, Bukkoku-Kokushi (1241 - 1316) . The temple flourished during the Kamakura Age (1185 - 1333) . However, the power of the temple rapidly diminished during the Muromachi Age (1333 - 1573) . Mujyu-Myotoku recovered the power of Unganji Temple as it was, after he became the chief priest of the temple in 1578.

The bus stop from Nasu-Shiobara is just in front of Unganji Temple. You will see the Sanmon Gate of Unganji Temple on a hill-side beyond a red bridge.

If you walk us stone stairs and go through the Sanmon Gate, you will see the Buddha Hall.

Unganji Temple is a "Zen" sect temple, where priests conduct "Zen" training.
When I visited, no other visitors were there. The atmosphere of the temple was really solemn.

To the right of the Buddha Hall, a bell-tower and a bath hall are located. "Zen" tells that taking a bath is also a training of "Zen".

To the left of the Buddha Hall, the Imperial Gate is located. Behind the gate and the Buddha Hall, the "Hojyo" Hall is located. The view of these halls and the Imperial Gate, shown in the below picture, was very impressive.

The view of roofs of the Buddha Hall and the "Sanmon" Gate from the "Hojyo" Hall was also very impressive.

In the precincts of the temple, there is a poem monument, which inscribes the "Haiku" of MATSUO Basho (1644 - 1694) . The "Haiku" inscribed on the monument means as follows:

"even woodpeckers
do not harm the hut_
summer trees"

English Translation of the Basho's "Haiku" was referred by the following website:
http://www.haiku-hia.com/index_en.html

MATSUO Basho is one of the best and the best known "Haiku" poets in Japan. His travel journey, "Okuno Hosomichi", issued in 1702, is also one of the best literary works in Japan.

Basho started his "Okuno Hosomichi" journey in 1689 from Tokyo to Tohoku (The North-East part of Japan). On the way, he stopped at Kurobane and stay there for more than ten days. During his stay in Kurobane, he visited "Unganji" Temple to see a high priest "Buccho-Osho".

It is said that the site of the "Buccho-Osho"'s hermitage remains in the temple. I was just wondering if a hermitage behind the back gate would be that of "Buccho-Osho".

How to get there
From Tokyo, you will take a Tohoku Shinkansen to Nasu-Shiobara by "Nasuno" or "Yamabiko". Then, take a bus to Unganji-Mae. Buses from Nasu-Shiobara run almost once an hour from 10AM to 2PM except 12Noon, as of January 2020. Better to check a timetable.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Daiouji Temple
Ruins of Kurobane Castle
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Futaarasan Shrine in Utsunomiya