Enkō-ji Temple

円光寺（Enkou-ji）

• 

A temple associated with the Nishi Honganji sect of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, and is one of the three temples visitors make pilgrimage to during Hida Furukawa’s “Santera Mairi” festival which happens on January 15th of every year. Located just by the Seto River, the picturesque scenery of Enkō-ji and the Town of White-Walled Storehouses along the Seto River are loved and celebrated as the symbol of Hida Furukawa.

The temple’s main gate is said to have been moved to its current location from the former stronghold—Masuhima Castle—of Lord Kanamori, who had controlled the area in times past. Of particular interest are the carvings of tortoises that can be seen beneath the roof of the main building. Affectionately called the “Water-bringing Tortoise” by the locals, these tortoises were said to have protected Enkō-ji Temple from the great fire that ravaged most of Furukawa in 1904.

• Life & Culture
• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter