Feb 21, 2016 - 1 min read

Kamoe Temple

A Nara period temple in Hamamatsu

By Illaura Rossiter

Community writer

The Deva Gate located at the front of the temple

Stepping through the Deva Gate leads you to a quiet pond

Left of the pond is the path to the inner temple, and Narita Mountain Fudou Hall, the main office and the venue for memorials, prayers and more

A Jizō Bodhisattva who helps guide the souls of young children to their place in the afterlife

The main shrine of the Kamoe Temple compound

Before the Narita Mountain Fudou Hall is an ornamented incense burner and a place to hang your wish to the gods

The Dōbutsu Kannon is the main protector of your pets in the afterlife

These guardians stand to protect your beloved pets in their afterlife

The Middle Gate which leads to the main shrine

These Mizuko each represent the souls of infants who have passed

A Jizō Bodhisattva looks over the souls of infants

A Jizō Bodhisattva stands guard over the Mizuko

A woman prays to the Jizō Bodhisattva to watch over the souls of the infants

Kamoe Temple is easily accessible by bus or walking, tucked away in Hamamatsu in Shizuoka prefecture. According to folklore, this temple was built by millionaire potato farmers 3,000 years ago. While the original building was lost to a fire in 1608, the rebuilding began in 1616 thanks to Tokugawa Ieyasu. It was lost once again in a 1947 air raid, though it was quickly rebuilt by 1959. Renovations in 1987 led to the present temple we see today.

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Illaura Rossiter

By Illaura Rossiter

Community writer

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