This entry is a sequel to my previous posts (1and2). My husband and I first visited a sweet shop to buy some sweets and had lunch at a soba restaurant. Then, we visited Taima-dera, which was founded in 612.

According to the sign, the bell in the picture below is the oldest bell in Japan, which was mad during the Hakuhō period (645 to 710).

There are two pagodas in this temple. Taima-dera is the only temple in Japan where both pagodas have remained intact in their original forms.

When we visited, lotus flowers were still blooming.

In the temple, there was a beautiful Japanese garden.

This temple is famous for Princess Chūjō as well. She was born in a powerful family, but when she was at the age of five, her mother passed away. She was beautiful and intelligent, so her step-mother abused her. Her step-mother ordered a vassal to kill her, but he couldn't. Instead of killing her, the vassal hid her in this temple. She became a nun here at the age of 17. The sweets we bought were named after her.

The garden was simply breathtaking, and we enjoyed walking around.

Not only lotus flowers but also waterlilies were blooming.

The room in the picture below shows a tea room. It must be marvelous to enjoy a bowl of matcha there.

For some reason, this temple made me think about wabi-sabi.

We also saw a statue of Princess Chūjō.

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