Charming temple with 1200 unique statues

Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple stands on a hillside along the historic approach to the sacred Mt. Atago. It is a charming spot with a quiet, serene, and pleasantly welcoming atmosphere.
Originally built in 766, the temple was damaged several times by natural disasters, and after several reconstructions, it was moved to its current location in 1922.
In 1980, a full-scale restoration project was undertaken for 10 years, including the dismantling and restoration of the temple gate and the entire temple grounds.
At that time, the head monk of the temple invited the general public to come and carve stone statues of arhats (disciples of Buddha) to be placed on the temple grounds to pray for the prosperity of the temple.
The resulting 1,200 stone statues are the distinguishing feature of Otagi Nenbutsuji. Each statue is unique, from musicians to cat and dog lovers to simply those who enjoy friendship over a drink, no two arhat statues are the same.