Saikō-ji Temple

What it is

• A Jōdo-shū Buddhist temple.
• Known for 'etoki' (picture-story telling).
• Founded in 1199 by Karukaya Dōshin.
• Main deity is Karukaya Oyako Jizō-son.

What to see

• Oldest Matsuo Bashō haiku monument in Nagano Prefecture.
• Graves of Karukaya Shōnin, Ishidōmaru, and Senri Gozen.
• Wooden Karukaya Oyako Jizō-son statue.
• Main hall, rebuilt in 1938.

Getting there

• 7-minute walk from Nagano Station.

Notes written by Japan Gems from facts in Japanese Wikipedia.