Baigoji Temple

According to records, this ancient Buddhist temple was founded in 1207 when the great monk Shinran was staying in the area to spread the belief in the nenbutsu prayer as the path to salvation and granted his greatest disciple with his honorary Buddhist name. The temple possesses a life-sized painting of Shinran as well as a calligraphic rendition of the nine-character name of a Buddhist deity stated to have been written in Shinran’s own hand when he stayed here. The temple’s Juzukakezakura cherry tree, whose hanging flowers resemble a Buddhist rosary; and the unusual Yatsufusa plum tree, whose individual flowers produce eight fruits, are counted among the Seven Wonders of Echigo. Considered both legends and miracles planted by Shinran during his visit to Echigo, even today their tale is passed down not only amongst the temple priests but across the prefecture.