Renjoji Temple (Uchiyama Kannon)

In the hills of Mie-machi in Bungo-ono, Oita Prefecture, stands Renjoji. Fondly known as Uchiyama Kannon, it is said to have been founded in 554, making it one of the oldest temples in Oita. Legend says it was built when a local legendary rich man invited the priest Renjo, who had come over from Baekje.

The temple is also said to have been built to mourn the daughter of the wealthy couple, Princess Hannya, who died young, and historic sites tied to the legend are scattered across the grounds. It is not widely known as a tourist destination, but it is a lesser-known power spot where an overwhelming world of faith spreads out within deep mountain stillness.

Highlights

• The thousand healing buddhas — In the Yakushi hall, 998 statues of the healing buddha stand alongside the Yakushi triad, together called the thousand healing buddhas. The rows of statues form a grand sight reminiscent of the Sanjusangendo hall in Kyoto.
• The Princess Hannya statue — A giant statue of Princess Hannya, loved as a symbol of Mie-machi. You can remember the heroine of the legend.
• Sites of the local legend — Places connected to the tale, such as the grave of the wealthy couple and a deep pool called Kinkigafuchi, remain on the grounds.

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring, cherry blossoms brilliantly color the grounds, so you can enjoy worship and flower viewing at the same time. Early summer with its fresh greenery and autumn with its red leaves each have their charm, and combined with the mountain stillness a calm time flows by. In winter, with few people about, the solemnity of the thousand healing buddhas stands out even more.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 527 Uchiyama, Mie-machi, Bungo-ono, Oita Prefecture
• Access: About 5 to 15 minutes by car from Mie-machi Station on the JR Hohi Main Line. About 30 minutes from the Inukai interchange on the Higashi-Kyushu Expressway.
• Parking: Available (about 80 spaces for standard cars, with an accessible entrance)
• Visiting: For viewing the Yakushi hall and other areas, please follow the on-site guidance

Practical Travel Notes

• Recommended season and time of day: Known as a cherry blossom spot, the spring flower-viewing season is the most spectacular. On a weekday morning with few visitors, you can view the thousand healing buddhas inside the hall slowly and quietly.
• Time needed: Focusing on the thousand healing buddhas in the Yakushi hall and the Princess Hannya statue, viewing the grounds takes roughly 30 minutes to an hour. If you also visit the sites tied to the legend, allow a little more time to be safe.
• Nearby real spots: Stages of the legends around the wealthy man and Princess Hannya are scattered nearby. Mie-machi has many sights such as the Harajiri Falls, making it an easy area to combine by car.
• Budget sense: Details of visiting follow the on-site guidance, but as a quiet tour of an old mountain temple, it can be enjoyed without much expense.

A Quick Tip

The interior of the thousand healing buddhas hall is full of the quiet power that the rows of statues give off. If you look at each one carefully, you should be overwhelmed by their sheer number. In spring it is also known as a cherry blossom spot, so a visit combined with flower viewing is exceptional. You drive up a mountain road to reach the grounds, so take a little care when driving there.

📚 Sources

For information on Renjo-ji (Uchiyama Kannon), the main references are the temple's own guidance and the tourism guidance published by Bungo-Ono City and the Bungo-Ono City Tourism Association. Its history, said to date to a founding in 554, the Thousand Yakushi, the statue of Princess Hannya, and the historic sites tied to the Manano Choja legend can be traced through such guidance and on-site explanations. Viewing of the Yakushi hall and other buildings follows on-site guidance and may change, so please confirm the latest details through official sources before you visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: Touring mainly the Thousand Yakushi and the Hannya statue, viewing the grounds takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour; allow a little more to reach the legend-related historic sites.
• What to bring: A mountain road is driven up to the grounds, so take care driving; as viewing details follow on-site guidance, carry coins for a goshuin or offering.
• Suggested route: View the Thousand Yakushi in the Yakushi hall at leisure, take in the statue of Princess Hannya that symbolizes Mie-machi, and visit legend-related sites such as the Manano Choja couple's grave and Kinkigafuchi; known as a cherry-blossom spot in spring, it pairs well with Mie-machi sights such as Harajiri Falls noted in the article.
• Crowd tips: On a quiet weekday morning with few visitors, you can view the Thousand Yakushi hall calmly.