Greater Tokyo

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TOCHIGI

Ooyaji Temple（Ooya Kannon）

Senju Kannon, known as Japan’s Silk Road.

The beginning of Ooyaji Temple

Nearby the Utsunomiya City, the Ooyaji Temple has been built surrounded by a cavern. Within the temple are 10 stone carvings of buddha carved directly into the cavern wall including Japan’s oldest statue of the goddess Kannon (the Oya thousand-armed Kannon).

 

It is said that long time ago, a venomous snake was living in the Oya area and every creatures were killed by its poison. In A.D. 810, a famous monk Kukai Daishi heard this story and stayed at this area for a few days. When he left, he told people that the snake would never come back again. People found that there was a Senju Kannon (also known as Ooya Kannon) carved into the cavern, and built this temple for thanking Kukai Daishi.

 

Symbol of Japan's Silk Road, the Ooya Kannon

In recent study, scholars had found some similarities between Ooya Kannon and the Buddhas of Bamiyan. It is believed to be Japan’s Silk Road heritage carved by Afghan monks.

 

When you visit, please join your hands in prayer for world peace and happiness for people while reflecting on Kannon’s great heart.
Access
Address
1198， Oya-machi， Utsunomiya-shi， Tochigi
Access Information
30 minutes from JR Utsunomiya Station West Gate by buses bound for Tateiwa to Ooya Kannon-mae bus stop, then a 3-minute walk.
Phone number
028-652-0128
Contact
028-652-0128
Business hours
April–September: 8：30〜16：30
October–March: 9：00〜16：30
*Entrance closed 20 min. before closing time
Holiday
Thursday
December 26th–31st each year
Charges
Adults: 500 yen
Junior high school students: 200 yen
Elementary school students: 100 yen

Group discount: Adults: 400 yen / Junior high school students: 150 yen / Elementary school students: 70 yen
*Group of 30 people or more
WEB site
http://www.ooyaji.jp/en/ https://www.visit-tochigi.com/plan-your-trip/things-to-do/1798/
Digital Map

Nearby Sightseeing Spots

Oya History Museum (Ohya)

Oya History Museum (Ohya)

The old mining site of Utsunomiya’s famous，Oya Stone，has now been turned into a historical museum. The exhibition features the long history of the mining since the 17th century，with many materials on display. The underground cavern，covering 20,000 sq. metres，is large enough to fit a baseball field. With a fantastic atmosphere reminding visitors of the ruins of Ancient Rome.It is used in various scenes such as movie shooting, music videos shooting, weddings, concert, etc. due to its mysterious scenery.

TOCHIGI
Kanehon Quarry

Kanehon Quarry

It is an operating open surface quarry of Oya stone. Next to the quarry are a stone processing plant， a stone waste dump and the mountain owner’s residence and office. You can see a flow of stone-quarrying here and make homemade pizzas in Oya stone， wood-fired pizza ovens. You can also take home a bag of Oya stone in an original KANEHON bag. Plus， there is an exclusive offer of Oya stone outlet items and Isseki series by Oya stone craftsman “Takumi” for tour guests only."

TOCHIGI