SaitamaLeisure

Hachioji Temple, Takedera (八王寺(竹寺))

Flow of the course

Previous stop: Visit a mountain temple known for prayers for strong legs and feet, and explore its grounds famous for giant straw sandals

About 30 min from the previous stop

About 195 min here

Next stop: Watch the fireworks launched over Takedera, surrounded by mountains

About this spot

As a remnant of Shinto-Buddhist syncretism, this mountain temple is known for its rare appearance: despite being a Buddhist temple, it has a torii gate at its entrance, fitted with a chinowa purification ring. The grounds, surrounded by bamboo groves, are quiet, offering a special space away from the bustle of the city. The temple is also known for serving shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), whose simple flavors drawing on the mountain's bounty are popular. Spending an unhurried time around the temple grounds until evening while securing your spot for the fireworks makes for a smooth transition.

Tips

About a 20-minute drive from Nenogongen (子ノ権現); be careful driving the mountain roads. Advance reservations may be required for shojin ryori, so plan with some margin if you wish to try it. Temperatures drop from evening into night, so it is reassuring to bring something to layer on.