Takkoku no Iwaya 達谷窟

Unique Bishamonten temple and garden

This temple is a bit out of the way, a few kilometers from the center of Hiraizumi. The temple itself isn't ancient, but the site of the temple has over a thousand years of history. The temple built into the cliff face has images of Bishamonten, the god of war. Above the temple is a giant Buddha face, all that remains of a lost Buddha statue. What captivated me was the Benzaiten shrine surrounded by a pond garden. It was tranquil and a contrast to the Bishamonten figures. A peculiar point is that though it's a fascinating site, it's not one of the world heritage treasures of Hiraizumi.