What other travelers are saying about Taima-dera Temple
My friend in Kyoto urged me to visit Taimadera because of its significance. Go before you die!, I was told. It is one of Japan's first temples and was located here because En no Gyoja donated the land! Taimadera houses several Buddhist national treasures. It has its original two pagodas! The Heavenly Guardians were brought from Baekje Korea.
On this visit I met the Chief Monk Miyashita, a celebrated calligrapher. He wrote a "shikishi" for each of us which I have framed already. 変通 - simply stated, Life is Change.
A quiet and ancient temple. a friend who is a Japanese living in Yoshino, recommended this temple. She drove me to Taima-dera as she thinks it is worth a visit. Every year in mid April, there is a ritual where masked men performed memorial service. This is unique in Japan I think. However I am not able to attend as I came to know about this when I visited the temple. Will try to come mid April next year to witness the ceremony. All tickets are sold at the main temple building. Entrance ticket price include entry to museums
The Taima Mandala is a highly revered silk tapestry that represents the Pure Land or paradise of Amida Buddha. It is said to have been miraculously created by the nun Chujo-hime in the 8th century and is a key artifact of Japanese Buddhist art.
Visitors to Taima-dera can view the Taima Mandala, explore the main hall and other temple structures, and enjoy the temple’s beautiful gardens, which are particularly stunning during the peony season in spring and the maple leaf season in autumn.
Taima-dera Temple is accessible by public transportation. Visitors can take a train to Taimadera Station on the Kintetsu Osaka Line, and the temple is a short walk from the station.
Taima-dera hosts several events throughout the year, including the Peony Festival in spring and special viewings of the temple’s autumn foliage. The temple also holds religious ceremonies and memorial services that reflect its Buddhist traditions.
