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Shinpukuji Temple Complex

November 13, 2012 by Jonas Dupuich

My visit last year to Japan began at Shinpukuji Temple. Not far from Okazaki, Aichi, Shinpukuji is a collection of buildings that includes a large temple and an old wooden shrine. A restaurant on the grounds serves bamboo delicacies, and a bonsai museum offers colorful diversion. The custodian of Shinpukuji is Mr. Oomura. Oomura’s family has managed Shinpukuji for generations. Somewhere along the line, Oomura took a fancy to bonsai, and has since amassed an outstanding bonsai collection. Most tourists visiting the complex focus on the buddhist sites so we’ll start there.

Steps

Steps leading to the main temple

Temple

Main temple from the side

Temple building

Nearby building

Bell

Temple bell

Temple

Nearby building

Bonsai museum

Roof decoration

Temple building

Japanese maple

The restaurant lies across a footbridge that connects the temple area to the restaurant and Oomura family residence. While I’ve enjoyed the family’s meals on a number of occasions, I have yet to try their restaurant food – a must for my next trip!

Restaurant

Boon and ubiquitous K-car at restaurant entrance

Dining room

One of the dining rooms

Bamboo lunch

Bamboo treats

Bibbed statues and shrines dot the surrounding gardens making the temple a wonderful spot for a stroll.

Boon and Oomurasan's grandson

Mr. Oomura’s grandson and Boon with bibbed Buddhist statue

Garden

Temple gardens

Buddha

Buddhist statue

Buddha

Bibbed statue

The shrine is quite old for a wooden structure in Japan (I’m not sure about its age). The craftsmanship is impressive.

Old shrine

Old shrine

Old shrine

Shrine detail

Next time we’ll visit the bonsai museum. If you haven’t read Peter Tea’s article about Kadomatsu at Shimpukuji, do so now – I highly recommend it!

✕

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Filed Under: Excursions Tagged With: Japan

Previous Post: « Moriyama’s bonsai garden
Next Post: Shinpukuji Bonsai Museum »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. teaandtao says

    November 13, 2012 at 4:45 am

    Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  2. hellboy2503 says

    November 15, 2012 at 1:33 am

    Great shots and blog

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