長谷寺

Hasedera is the head temple of the Shingon Buzan school of Buddhism, founded on the slopes of Mount Hase in Sakurai. Its principal image is a large eleven-headed Kannon. Visitors reach the main hall by climbing a long covered stairway of 399 steps, lined with lanterns. The temple is celebrated as a temple of flowers, with more than 7,000 peony plants of over 150 varieties blooming from late April to early May. The main hall stands on a raised platform overlooking the valley, and the grounds also show cherry blossoms in spring and coloured leaves in autumn.