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Koyasan

1. Okunoin

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Floating Torii - 019

Floating Torii - 019

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Okunoin

Size: 44 items

Buried deep in the woods of Koyasan (Mount Koya) is the sacred temple of Okunoin. There, the founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan, Kobo Daishi (Kukai) is enshrined.

But perhaps the more extraordinary sight is the immense cemetery leading up to the temple. In Japan's largest graveyard tall trees whisper in gentle winds and moss sweeps onto the ancient stones marking the burial sites of feudal lords. The walk through the forest is breathtaking both for being haunting and beautiful.

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A pilgrim walks the path through the forest graveyard at ...

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A red-bibbed Buddha sculpture at Okunoin temple on...

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A red-bibbed jizo statue embedded in moss at Okunoin...

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Stone tombstones at Okunoin temple on Koyasan, Japan.

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A path through the forest graveyard at Okunoin temple on ...

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A jizo statue wearing a bib and a cap at Okunoin temple...

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Prayer boards at Okunoin temple on Koyasan, Japan.

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Japanese lanterns at Okunoin temple on Koyasan, Japan.

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Crumbling, mossy steps and a torii gate at Okunoin temple...

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A red-bibbed jizo statue at Okunoin temple on Koyasan,...

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A mound of stone carvings at Okunoin temple on Koyasan,...

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A group of stone carvings at Okunoin temple on Koyasan,...

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A group of stone carvings at Okunoin temple on Koyasan,...

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A mound of stone carvings at Okunoin temple on Koyasan,...

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A group of sacred Buddha sculptures at Okunoin temple on ...

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A path through the forest graveyard at Okunoin temple on ...

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The forest graveyard at Okunoin temple on Koyasan, Japan.

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The path to a small shrine at Okunoin temple on Koyasan, ...

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A red-bibbed jizo statue at Okunoin temple on Koyasan,...

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Mossy tombstones at Okunoin temple on Koyasan, Japan.

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A bibbed jizo statue at Okunoin temple on Koyasan, Japan.

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A Buddha sculpture at Okunoin temple on Koyasan, Japan.

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A path through the forest graveyard at Okunoin temple on ...

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Crumbling, mossy steps at Okunoin temple on Koyasan, Japan.

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A statue of a Buddhist pilgrim at Okunoin temple on...

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A mossy tombstone at Okunoin temple on Koyasan, Japan.

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Tombstones in a forest graveyard at Okunoin temple on...

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A seated Buddha statue at Okunoin temple on Koyasan, Japan.

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A path through the forest graveyard at Okunoin temple on ...

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A bibbed Buddha sculpture at Okunoin temple on Koyasan,...