“Historic buildings” is what they call Enshoji. This temple stands in Osaka’s Nishi Ward. Enshoji is a Buddhist temple. It belongs to the Rinzai Zen sect.
Enshoji’s story stretches back centuries. Around the early 12th century, something special happened. A statue of Dainichi Nyorai was created. People also call him the Mahavairocana Buddha. This statue was first placed in a temple north of where Enshoji stands today.
Floods damaged the original temple. So in 1444, the Dainichi Nyorai statue was moved. Its new home became Enshoji.
Within Enshoji’s grounds stand several buildings. The Dainichido hall is especially important. It houses the Dainichi Nyorai statue. The hall was rebuilt in 1759.
Inside Dainichido, three Buddha statues stand together. The large Dainichi Nyorai takes center stage. It measures about 2.5 meters tall. This makes it one of the largest statues in the Hokuriku Region.
Long ago, the statue was covered in gold foil. This happened during repairs in the 18th or 19th century. Visitors can worship the statue from outside the hall.
Enshoji also features an old Japanese garden. It was created in the early 17th century. Over time, it has blended with the natural surroundings. A pond sits within the garden. Forest green tree frogs live around the pond. Their numbers are decreasing making this a special place for them.
If you are coming from Obama Station, Enshoji is 4.5 km south. You can get here by rental bicycle or car. Enshoji offers a peaceful escape. It blends history, art, and nature. It is a place to reflect.