Nihonji Temple is one of the oldest temple in Kanto Region. It is located western Boso Peninsula. About 1,300 years ago, Emperor Shomu and Empress Komyo ordered the imperial decree to priest Gyoki in and he established Nihonji Temple in 725. During Edo period, it became the temple of Soto Zen Buddhism.

Nihonji has been highly respected. Therefore, it has the name of Japan. Nihonji means the temple of Japan.


Niohgate
Legend said, the statues of Nioh were made by priest Gyoki.

Daikokudo
Nihonji Daibutsu
The name of Nihonji Daibutsu is Yakushirurikonyorai, and represent the entire the space is the pure land, and it leads the world to the peace and safe. It has 31m high and as the sitting great Buddha statue, Hinonji Daibutsu is the biggest Daibutsu in Japan. Original statue was built in 1783. However, around the end of Edo period, the damage by weathering, it lost almost the all shape until 1966. In 1969, it has been fixed.

Tokai 1,500 Rakan
In 1779, craft man Kangoro Ono and his students spend 21 years to make 1,500 stone statues of Buddha and place the cliff of the mountain. As the Rakan spiritual sanctuary, it is the biggest in the world.

Hyakusyaku Kannon
is the stone cave Kannon statue built in 1963. It was made for dedicated the peace of the soldiers who died in World War II. It has about 30m high, and placed right below the Jigokunozoki.

Note:
Please keep in mind the manners when you visit Nihonji.
- Don’t touch the stone statue and other facilities.
- Don’t take the flowers of the mountain.
- Take your trash with you and never leave it in the temple.
- Smoke only at the smoking area and don’t trash the ash in the temple.

Official: http://www.nihonji.jp/index.html