Myoten-ji Temple in Ono, Fukui

Meet cute statue that smiles when you pour water on it

Oleh Takako Sakamoto

Community writer

Beautiful roof ornaments of Myotenji Temple

Fearsome but beautiful Oni-gawara (roof tile Oni)

Entrance gate and a stone marker of Myoten-ji Temple in Ono city

Front view of Myoten-ji Temple's entrance gate

Main temple building and a giant pine tree towering over it

Looking up at the eaves of Myoten-ji Temple's main hall

Cute jizo statue and colorful autumn leaves. This jizo is said to smile when you pour water on his head, and is popular among tourists, especially women.

Statue of the Goddess of Mercy for children standing in front of the belfry

Close-up look at the statue of the Goddess of Mercy for children. The baby she is holding looks so happy!

Stone monument of Matsumura Kyuzan (1743－1822), who was a renowned philosopher of Confucianism, as well as the medical doctor to the nobles of Ono Han.

Roof tile ornament displayed on the temple grounds

Wooden carving of a guardian dragon on the temple pillar

Old stone lantern and the main temple building

View of the 'Temple Street' in Ono Castle Town

When I visited Ono Castle in Ono city, Fukui prefecture, I started my tour from the 'Ono Castle Town East Square' where I parked my car, then walked down the street to reach the castle. When I was looking around, I spotted a beautiful roof tile ornament of a temple building. As it turned out, it belonged to Myoten-ji Temple on the temple street of Ono Castle Town. This temple belongs to the Nichiren Buddhist Schools and was founded in 1500. Matsudaira Naoyoshi, who was the lord of Ono Han (region) and the sixth son of Yuki Hideyasu, invited this temple to Ono Castle Town in the 17th century. On the temple grounds, there is a cute small jizo statue, which is said to smile!? when you pour water on its head!