Okunoin Cemetery 奥の院墓地

Eerie, beautiful, and laden with history

The walk from the gate to the temple where the Buddhist sage Kobo Daishi is said to be in eternal meditation is nearly 2 kilometers long. You ought to budget time for a stroll and pauses to see some of the resting places of famous leaders such as Takeda Shingen and Date Masamune. Some peculiar memorials built by corporations might catch your eye. There are a few legendary spots, too - places that are said to reveal your destiny. What I found the most moving was the Torodo, a hall of 10,000 lanterns at the far end of the cemetery. They say some of the lanterns have been lit for 1000 years. The hall is awe-inspring.