Murou-ji Temple

The origin of this temple is said that Buddhist priest, Kenkyo of Kofuku-ji Temple erected this temple at the end of eighth century, or said to that En-no-Gyoja founded by Imperial prayer of the Emperor Tenmu, and Kuukai revived later. It prospered as dojo studio of the esoteric Buddhism along with Koya-san. Because Muro-dera Temple accepted the worship of the women against Koya-san of prohibition to women, it was called "Nyonin Koya(Koya for women). The buildings including Five-Storied Pagoda and Kon-do Hall are magnificent. The gregariousness of about 3000 rhododendrons following from Yoroi-zaka slope bloom flowers with pinkishness in early summer. There are many valuable things appointed to national treasure and important cultural property in Muro-ji Temple including impressive buildings of the precinct such as Kon-do Hall, Hon-do Hall, Five-Storied Pagoda and Buddha statues. Kon-do Hall built in the early of the Heian period is national treasure and rare single-layered building with a hipped roof with shingles temple. The roof of Hon-do Hall (national treasure) is covered with cypress bark. In the inner sanctum of the Kon-do Hall, there are many Buddha statues such as standing statue of Shaka Nyorai of the principal image(national treasure) and standing statue of eleven-faced Kannon (national treasure) which carved out of one piece of wood, besides Kshitigarbha and Buddha Yakushi are enshrined. Five-Storied Pagoda (national treasure) erected in the Heian period is 16m in height and the smallest in Japan among outdoor pagodas. It shows beautiful figure painted in red with background of rhododendron and deep greenery.