Manmanji Temple 万満寺

Small Rinzai Zen temple worth a look

This small but beautiful temple dates to the Kamakura Period, and has many architectural features from that period. The main gate houses two impressive Nio statues, a pond dedicated to Benzaiten, and a hand washing basin overseen by a fierce stone image of Fudomyo. The temple today is a Rinzai Zen temple, though it was originally established as a Shingon temple by the Chiba Yoritane, the local warlord. The priests guide Zen meditation for local residents. The priests ring the big bell in the belfry around dawn, at noon, and again at dusk, and the sound carries as far as the Edo River to the west. At New Year, and again at the spring equinox, the temple has an interesting ritual for parishoners. Squeeze through the space between the feet of the Nio statue to receive a blessing of health and safety.