Visit Nara

At the start of the ascetic path to Mt Omine, Shugendo practitioners have gathered at this temple for prayer and meditation since its founding around 645. The temple name translates as “Dragon Spring Temple” and there are many dragon and snake motifs around the complex along with a sacred pond and a sacred waterfall. The main hall is guarded by a striking pair of male and female demon figures. Some features are only available to men, such as the experience of standing in prayer under the waterfall and the Shukubo overnight lodgings. The temple has a legend that a local man met a woman here and they lived together and had a child. One day, he came home early and discovered she was actually a giant white snake. Entrusting him to care for the child, she retreated to the temple pond, asking him to ring a bell three times every morning and six times at night to help her pass the days. That temple bell is still rung every day.