Hoonji Temple

What to know

Hoonji (報恩寺, Hōonji) is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple located a 15-minute walk north of downtown Morioka. The main road leading to the temple is lined with temples and shrines and has been selected as one of Japan's top 100 picturesque streets.

Founded in 1394, Hoonji Temple was moved to its current location in 1601, though many of its buildings date only to the mid-20th century. The temple is best known for its statues of Buddhist disciples, or rakan, carved over four years (1731–1734) by nine artisans from Kyoto. Originally there were 500 statues, but only 499 remain.

The first structure visitors encounter is the wooden Sanmon Gate. From there, continue past the belfry on the right and straight to the main hall, which houses a statue of Shaka Nyorai, the historical Buddha, as its principal object of worship. Inside the main hall, a corridor on the left leads to the Rakando Hall, which contains the 499 rakan statues and is the oldest building on the temple grounds, dating to 1858.

In the center of the hall stands a statue of the seated Vairocana Buddha, surrounded by the ten great disciples of Buddha. Along the walls surrounding the stage are the many rakan statues. Among them are some that over the years have been said to resemble historical figures like Marco Polo and the grandchild of Genghis Khan.

Hoonji Temple is a 15-minute walk north of downtown Morioka or about 40 minutes on foot from Morioka Station. Alternatively, take the Dendenmushi Loop Bus and get off at Honchodori-itchome (本町通１丁目, 130 yen one way, 10 minutes from Morioka Station, every 20 minutes), from where the temple is a ten-minute walk.

The temple is also a ten-minute walk from Kami-Morioka Station on the JR Yamada Line (5 minutes, 160 yen one way from Morioka Station), but trains operate only every 2–4 hours.