If you drive about 15 minutes north of our school along the Tomio River, you can find Ryosenji Temple. The temple owns and is located on a large area of land in the mountains and a lot of people visit there especially when the many beautiful roses are in bloom.

This temple was founded in 736 by the great priest, Gyoki, who also contributed to building the Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple, back when Nara used to be the capital of Japan.

The main building (Hondo) was built in 1283 of the Kamakura period, and is designated as a national treasure. The three-storied pagoda (Sanju-no-to) was also built in the same period and designated as an important cultural property.

According to the tradition of this temple, a hermit called Bikou worshiped Buddhist statues at a bath in this mountain. He cured people of their diseases by having them take a medicinal bath. This is said to be the origin of the temple.

If you walk about 2 kilometers up the mountain, there is a small shrine called Benzaiten that was said to be founded by the Great priest, Kobo-daishi, who started the Shingon Sect and also built the great temple at the top of Mt. Koya in Wakayama prefecture.