Otagi Nenbutsu-ji: Kyoto’s hidden temple gem

The Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple in Kyoto is home to more than 1,000 distinctive Buddha statues, each carved with expressive faces and imaginative details. Originally founded in the 8th century, most of the statues were created in the 1980s by artists working within Buddhist tradition. The temple attracts travellers seeking a quiet, spiritual retreat away from Kyoto’s more visited sites – a true masterpiece of Buddhist art and a chance to immerse yourself deeply in Japanese culture.