Here stands Yakuo-in a Shingon Buddhist temple. It offers a rare glimpse into Japanese spirituality. This temple on Mt. Takao is more than 1200 years old. It is one of the three head temples of a Shingon Buddhist sect called Chisan-ha.
Mt. Takao is a popular destination near Tokyo. Many come for hiking and a closer look into Japanese culture. Here at Yakuo-in, you can observe a goma fire ritual. A priest presides over this ritual. The priest casts prayer sticks into a fire. This purifies everyone’s prayers so that they reach the heavens.
Participating in this fire ritual is a rare opportunity. Even Japanese people find it special. After the ritual, you receive a lucky souvenir. It is called gomafuda. These wooden tablets are considered embodiments of Izuna Daigongen. He is the principal deity enshrined here at Yakuo-in.
Let me guide you around the temple grounds now. I will share insights on the best ways to spend your time here. Yakuo-in was founded in 744 on imperial orders. It served as a base for Buddhism in eastern Japan. Today, it is the central training center in the Kanto region for Shugendo ascetic practice.
After our tour, we will enjoy a shojin-ryori course meal in a tatami room. Shojin-ryori is Japanese-style Buddhist vegetarian cuisine. It reflects the Buddhist ideal that life should be venerated. Nature should be used in ways that bring out its bounty and beauty.
Feel free to buy charms and souvenirs after lunch. You can also take photos to remember this experience. We will then walk back to the cable car Takaosan Station. This concludes our tour of Yakuo-in. I hope this introduction to Japanese culture has been enriching for you.