Honpukuji and Water Temple
The Green Guide
The Michelin Guide's review
This temple of the Buddhist Shingon school was rebuilt in 1991. The "water temple" is the main building, which is hidden behind two concrete walls and only the roof, a pond, can be seen. A staircase descends through the centre of the pond, among water lilies and lotus flowers. The curved walls and vermilion red of the downstairs room are enhanced at sunset when a ray of light hits the statue of Buddha (4pm in summer, 3pm in winter). As you leave, the sky fills the horizon, as if paying a last tribute to the purity of Ando Tadao's design.
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