Did the statues at Choanji Temple always have such character? Choanji Temple (長安寺) sits nestled in the Sengokuhara area of Hakone. Founded in 1356, this Soto Zen Buddhist temple offers a serene escape. Walking trails weave through the wooded grounds and cemetery. But the real magic of Choanji lies in its statues. Over two hundred rakan, disciples of Buddha, populate the temple grounds. These aren’t your typical serene statues. Their construction began in the 1980s and continues to this day. Each rakan possesses a unique personality. Some faces are contemplative and serious. Others are casual and even humorous. Their modern artistic style and expressiveness sets them apart from other rakan collections. Choanji Temple is also known for its vibrant autumn foliage, peaking around mid-November. Five hundred arhats, disciples who achieved enlightenment, are also depicted among the bamboo groves. Their expressions, ranging from joy to anger, capture the spectrum of human emotion. It’s said you’ll even find one that resembles you. The creation of these arhats started in 1985 and is an ongoing project, adding to the temple’s evolving story.
長安寺
Discover cities like never before.
Enjoy over self-guided city exploration with our app ‘Explory’. Learn all about the history and discover hidden more than 500.000 hidden gems, that only locals know about. Build custom tours, find nearby places, and start exploring instantly.
After discovering the story of 長安寺 in Osaka, you may wonder how to explore even more. Explory makes it simple: our digital Osaka guide connects culture, history, and unique experiences. With the interactive Osaka city guide, you can dive deeper into the local atmosphere and follow curated routes that turn your visit into a memorable Osaka city tour.
Explory is designed for authentic Osaka exploration. Each Osaka guide highlights iconic places and uncovers Osaka hidden gems that many visitors never find. With the immersive Osaka audio guide, stories and sounds bring every step to life.
Our flexible Osaka city guide makes it easy to plan routes, discover landmarks, and enjoy storytelling that connects you with the city. Whether your passion is art, history, or local culture, Explory ensures your Osaka city tour is unique. With a strong focus on Osaka exploration and surprising Osaka hidden gems, Explory gives you more than sightseeing – it creates real discovery.
Download the Explory App to expand your journey. Discover more than 300 cities and over 500,000 POIs and stories worldwide. Whether you need a Osaka guide, a reliable Osaka audio guide, or a flexible Osaka city tour, Explory is your key to travel differently.
More Places in Osaka
Nishiyodogawa Word Office
Can a building whisper secrets of service? Here at the Nishiyodogawa Ward Office, it certainly feels like it can. The
Isshinji theatrekura
Thousands of golden Buddhas gleam. This is the Sanzenbutsudo hall at Isshinji. It’s part of Isshinji Temple in Osaka a
河内木綿伝承の地 Stone
Long ago in the heart of Osaka stood Kawachi cotton fields. The fertile land yielded a unique cotton. This cotton
Suicide site of Toyotomi Hideyori, Yododo
Could a single stone whisper tales of fallen empires? Here at the Suicide site of Toyotomi Hideyori, Yododo, it seems