Goshuin number 10 is from the 国分寺 (Kokubun-ji) in Jōetsu!

When I finally arrived at this temple (after getting MANY strange looks from the inhabitants), I had to stop for a second to take everything in. The temple itself was rather large, and there was a pagoda on the grounds too, which surprised me. I haven’t been to too many temples that also have a pagoda. I imagine this area is even prettier during the other seasons, when the trees are covered in leaves and the grass is a beautiful green.

I went inside the temple after I was done looking and noticed something odd. There were five or six colored strings running from the back of the temple to the front, just above my head. They all started from different areas but ended at the same place: where the cord to ring the bell was outside. The colored strings were actually each tied to one of the fingers of the five or six Buddha statues that were lined up in the back of the temple! You typically aren’t supposed to take pictures in temples, so I don’t have a picture of it, but here’s one I found on Google Maps that kind of shows it.

The lady that gave me this stamp was very nice, and she gave me a small souvenir from the temple as well 🙂

Date received: November 5, 2017