Surrounded by flowers blooming on the slopes, Hase-dera Temple will be in full bloom from now on. The first temple to be introduced is Hase-dera Temple, the head temple of the Toyozan sect of Shingon Buddhism. The temple was founded in 686, and is said to have begun when Shonin Domei enshrined Emperor Temmu’s bronze plate Hokke Setsuzo (a pagoda with 1,000 Buddhist statues) in the western part of the temple. Entrance fee is 500 yen. There are many attractions, but the first thing that will catch your eye as you pass through the Niomon Gate is the beauty of the corridor. The long stone steps leading up to the main hall, one step after the other, are a pleasant experience, enveloping you in the scent of the plants and flowers planted on the temple grounds, and making you forget about the gradient in your eyes. Described as a “temple of flowers,” Hase-dera Temple is often visited by visitors for its beautiful flowers such as peonies, camellias, plums, cherry blossoms, rhododendrons, and yama-bukis, etc. Starting on May 25, a “hydrangea corridor” will be installed on Arashi no Saka, and the stairs will be colorfully decorated with both locally planted and potted hydrangeas. The main hall, built in 1650, is also an impressive sight. Like Kiyomizu-dera Temple, it is built on a slope, so the view is spectacular. The overhanging stage offers a breathtaking view of the mountain air. The main hall is currently offering a special viewing of the statue of the great Kannon (1,000 yen), where visitors can enter the normally off-limits main hall, touch Kannon’s feet, and make a wish. In addition, the Honbo Grand Lecture Hall, designated as an Important Cultural Property, is open for special viewing (500 yen).
Convenient hotel for sightseeing in the southern area of Nara Convenient for sightseeing in Yamato Shidera and Imai-cho, the Kandeo Hotels Nara Kashihara is located a two-minute walk from Kintetsu Yamato Yagi Station. With its attentive service, facilities, and good location, it is a hotel where you can stay with peace of mind. The rooms are characterized by a fusion of Japanese and modern styles, and when you open the door, you take off your shoes on the small floor and enter the room. The flat sofa by the window provides a comfortable place to relax and unwind, a feeling that is unique to this hotel. The open-air bath on the top floor offers a view of the three mountains of Yamato during the daytime and a starry sky at night while soaking in the bath.
© Source travel watch