After finishing my visit to Ōyama Afuri Shrine, I went a little further to visit Hinata Yakushi "Hōjōbō." Honestly, it was far more impressive than I had expected!
The History and Blessings of Hōjōbō
As soon as you enter the temple grounds, the magnificent temple buildings immediately catch your eye. In the quiet and solemn atmosphere, I was able to take my time offering my prayers. The sunlight was gentle, and combined with the surrounding nature, it felt truly refreshing for the soul.
Blessings for Protection Against Epidemics
The blessing of "protection against epidemics" that Hōjōbō offers has been revered for centuries. The temple grounds feature charms and ema (wooden plaques), and it was impressive to see visitors making their prayers and wishes.
Preserving Cultural Treasures
Hōden houses eight nationally designated cultural properties and two prefecturally designated ones. Notably, there are a total of 23 nationally designated Buddha statues enshrined here. (According to the website)
Access and Atmosphere
Although it's a bit further from Ōyama Afuri Shrine, the quieter atmosphere with fewer visitors is a definite plus. Surrounded by vast nature, it was a refreshing experience for both body and mind.
Next time, I’d love to spend more time exploring the entire area. I highly recommend you visit as well!
The journey continues... Wishing you all a wonderful trip! – TabiJun
参考日帰りプラン https://tabijun.com/kanagawa-model-plan/
