Takaosan Yakuo-in religious facility stands on the hillside of Mt.Takao, which are the most popular hiking trails in Tokyo. It was founded in 744 and had enjoyed prosperity as a hub of "Shugendo", meaning mountain asceticism incorporating "Shintoism" and "Buddhism" concepts since the 14th century. Gongen-do Hall in the picture is the most important building of Yakuoin. Being built in 1729, this is one of the oldest buildings in Tokyo. And it is characterized as a "Gongen-zukuri" in style, which is a unique architectural style of a main building being connected with worshipping hall in a straight line by means of a small hall of offerings. This style was devised first for "Kunosan Toshogu Shrine", then for "Nikko Toshogu Shrine" in the 17th century. Both of them were built to console the soul of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of Tokugawa shogunate. Yakuoin is a typical religious facility when the two religions, Shintoism and Buddhism, were worshipped at the same place and same time, so both types of buildings coexist in the large precincts.
Licensed tour guide, travel consultant,
Masahisa Takaki.
全国通訳案内士 高木聖久。
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