Students with backpacks on their backs were sucked into the Buddhist Hall of Engaku-ji Temple

Facade of main hall of Engaku-Ji — Facade of Engaku-ji Temple's Buddhist Hall

After passing through the gate, built in the late 18th century, the next structure immediately came into view. It is the Buddhist Hall. At Engaku-ji Temple, one does not have to walk very far to come across the building where the principal image of the temple is housed.

Unfortunately, unlike the temple gate, which was built in 1785, this Buddhist Hall is not very old. It was rebuilt in 1964 after being destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. The Great Kanto Earthquake occurred in 1923, which means that the temple had been without a building to enshrine the principal image for 40 years.

I stood in front of the Buddhist hall and looked at the exterior. It was dark inside, so I could not see what was going on from the outside. While I was doing so, a group of students on a school excursion appeared and was sucked into the hall.

Comment via

日本語