Hokkeji Temple in Nara City is located at 882 Hokkeji-cho, Nara City. It is a nunnery founded during the Nara period by Empress Komyo (Emperor Shomu's wife) on the site of the former residence of her father, Fujiwara no Fuhito.
Major Attractions
Principal Image: Eleven-Headed Kannon Standing Statue (National Treasure)
This famous statue is said to depict Empress Komyo crossing a lotus pond. With her long right arm and slightly raised right big toe, it expresses the fleeting movement of her dedication to saving all living beings. Normally a secret Buddha statue, it is only opened to the public three times a year: in spring, early summer, and autumn.
Bathroom
These are the remains of the "greenhouse" where, according to legend, Empress Komyo washed away the impurities of a thousand people. This is a designated Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
Karakuen and Scenic Gardens: This garden features seasonal flowers, especially the irises and lotus flowers that bloom in early summer (around June).
Major Events in 2026
Ancient Hina Doll Exhibition
Held annually from March 1st to 14th at the Toshoin. This special event allows visitors to view precious Hina dolls presented by the Imperial Family and nobles up close.
As Hokkeji Temple is a Monzeki temple (a temple where a member of the Imperial family or a nobleman serves as the chief priest) associated with Empress Komyo, the dolls on display are characterized by their exceptional quality and history.
Approximately 100 items, including items brought by successive nuns when they entered the temple from the Edo period to the present day, as well as dolls presented by Emperor Higashiyama and Empress Kojun, will be on display.
A Variety of Dolls
In addition to standard Hina dolls, the festival also features plump Gosho dolls, traditional Nara "Ittobori" carvings, and intricate Karakuri dolls.
Spring Scenery
During the festival, the weeping plum blossoms in the temple grounds' Karakuen garden are in full bloom, and along with the Hina dolls, you can feel the arrival of spring.
Hina-Eshiki (Hina-Eshiki/Memorial Service)
This event is held every year from April 1st to April 7th in the Main Hall. A memorial service is held in front of the principal image, the National Treasure "Standing Statue of Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva," in which 55 statues of Zenzai Doji (Douji) are enshrined.
Renge-Eshiki/Passing Through a Chinowa (Chigo-no-wa)
This event is held every year on July 17th. Worshippers pass through a chinowa (Chigo-no-wa) to pray for the elimination of summer plagues.
Special Opening of the National Treasure "Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva Statue" (Secret Buddha)
This principal image, which is normally closed to the public, will be open to the public three times a year: in spring, early summer, and autumn. The opening dates for 2026 are as follows:
Spring: March 20th - April 7th
Early Summer: Around June every year
(In 2025, it was June 5th - 10th. Please check the official website for the exact dates for 2026.)
Autumn: Around late October - early November every year
(In 2025, it was October 25th - November 10th. Please check the official website for the exact dates for 2026.)
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A cave stands against the wall of Hokkeji Temple.
A sign reading "Wago Jizoson" (Wago Jizo Son) is attached. Two Jizo statues are carved into a single stone.
On the west side of the cave, there's a sign with a hiking map for the Sabo area, the name of the area. The sign is faded.
In comparison, Jizo statues, even though their facial contours have become blurred over the years, seem to hold a special significance.
They're stone statues.
Even so, with big-name temples like Hokkeji Temple and Kairyuoji Temple, as well as smaller local temples, there are plenty of Jizo statues.
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It's 2026, and Google Maps has deleted all Jizo statues with few search results. This includes both images and videos.
This shows a lack of understanding of Japanese faith. Japanese political forces also appear to be aggressive toward ancient faiths.
Please make an effort to search for Jizo statues. Please encourage others to like and leave reactions.
So many posts have been deleted. What do you think? I'm incredibly disappointed.
For example, if you change the name to Wago Jizo-son, it will be deleted, so please do not change it.
