⛩️ Kurikara Fudō-ji (Kurikara Fudo Temple)

Kurikara Fudō Temple is a special head temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect. It is said that in 718, under the sacred decree of Emperor Genjō, the Indian monk Shunbō (善無畏三藏法師) carved the statue of Kurikara Fudō Myōō and enshrined it as the origin. Kurikara (in Sanskrit, it means "the Fudō deity with a black dragon entwined around a sword") derives its name from the deity associated with a sword entwined with a black dragon. The main deity is currently enshrined in the Okunoin, where a grand ceremony is held every seven years. It is said that in 812, Kōbō Daishi also enshrined the Fudō deity, and the statue of Fudō Myōō that stands before the emperor is now housed in the main hall. Within the grounds of the main hall at the mountain top, there are the main hall of Fudō Temple, Okunoin, a five-story pagoda, and the Wako Tower. The Nihon-jō (二本杖) near Okunoin is famous for its staff that removes disasters; it is said that by chanting "Namu Dainichi Daisei Fudō Myōō" while swinging the staff three times, one can eliminate future hardships. Starting from the ruins of Chōraku-ji, there are four statues of the thirty-three Kannon that have been relocated from the Kurikara Pass, as well as the Oman Jizō, known for the "Oman Legend." Additionally, the Phoenix Hall was built in 1998 to revive the seven temple complexes and twelve temples established by Kōbō Daishi in ancient times. It features a grand wooden structure styled after the Heian period sleeping quarters, measuring 75 meters on each side, exuding a solemn and elegant atmosphere reminiscent of the Heian period.

From the summit's main hall, one can enjoy a magnificent view of the Tateyama mountain range. It takes about 15 minutes by taxi to travel between the summit's main hall and the Phoenix Hall of Nishinobō. Around the summit's main hall, there are historical sites such as the statue of the fire ox, which marks the breakthrough point of the Kurikara Genpei War.