Tachibana-dera Temple

Asuka in itself is beautiful but this temple was really serene. Had the chance to go on a day that isn’t crowded at all, although we had a couple of other elderly Japanese tourists with us who were really fascinated by the place too. It’s 400 yen per adult. They can give you an English map and guide too. Rest station and Washroom are all nicely kept and clean. The area is really beautiful, I have no other words.

Piękna i spokojna świątynia ze ślicznymi sakurami. Wejście kosztuje 350 jenow. Very beautiful and quiet temple. Sakura trees look amazing when in full bloom. It costs 350 yen to enter. This place is connected with history of Shotoku Prince from VII century.

Beautiful Buddhist temple with several original structures

This place, which is about a 5-minute drive from Asuka-dera Temple, is connected to Prince Shotoku, and I was recommended to visit by the receptionist at Asuka-dera's shrine office. Tachibana-dera Temple is said to be the birthplace of Prince Shotoku, and is said to have been built by the prince himself. The Tendai sect's mountain name is Butto-san, and its principal image is a seated statue of Prince Shotoku (a nationally important cultural property).When it was first built in the 7th century, there were many temples lined up, but it was destroyed by fire, and the current main hall dates back to the Edo period. The shrine was rebuilt and enshrined the Gohonzon and is called the Prince's Palace. Inside the shrine grounds, there is a statue of Kurokoma, the beloved horse of the prince, and a two-faced stone (Nimenseki), a stonework from the Asuka period, with two human faces engraved on its back, said to represent good and evil. It was written that the events that happened were determined by one's own way of thinking and consciousness, whether good or bad, and how one's mind was held.It was very meaningful, and I was smiling to myself as I realized it. I received the stamp of ``Shotokuden'' at the awarding place in the main hall of the Prince's Hall, and there is also the ``Prince's Birthplace''. If I go to the shrine, I wonder if I'll be able to distinguish between 10 people's voices at once.

Birthplace of Prince Shotoku. Free parking is available on the west side. The ceiling is covered with wonderful flower paintings. Just looking at this painting makes it worth coming to this temple! The countryside and scenery of the ancient capital of Asuka, the beginning of Japan, seen from the temple are wonderful and worth seeing, as if you have traveled back in time. There is Prince Shotoku's favorite horse, Kurokoma. The inside of the temple is spacious and you can relax.