1200 Statues Temple

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple was probably my favorite temple of the trip. There were over 1200 Rakan statues to represent the disciples of Buddha. I was also told that if you look closely at them all you can find one that represents yourself.

I could have spent hours here looking at all the statues. They are all hand carved by different artists. It was so neat. I also really wanted to clean them off because they were pretty covered in moss.

Everyone choose a statue as their favorite and I took a picture of them next to it.  There were so many it was hard to decide.  Leon found a cool upside down one.

I'm not sure why Calista choose the one she did.

Tucker said he picked this one because it was weird.

Bob posed next to one with a guitar.

Scarlett choose one she thought looked like a girl.

Penelope choose the sweet lady in front of her.

I wanted to be next to one holding a baby, because I feel like that has been the story of my life for the last 13 and a half years.

Beatrix and I tried to pose next to the reading ones because I think this one matches me even better.  I spend a lot of time reading to kids.

Can you spot the statue holding the mask?  They are so funny and creative!

The kids thought I should be this one holding a camera taking pictures.

This temple is not one of the most popular tourist temples, probably because it was a little out of the way and the temple part was pretty small.  I'm so glad we walked the mile and a half there and back.  It was so worth it.  We even walked along a historical Japan street where the houses were all traditional.  At this point in my life I feel like I've seen enough Japanese temples and shrines, even big fancy ones.  So when I find one that is unique and different it automatically ranks higher on my list of places to go.