Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple is a slightly sad, yet neat place to visit. This temple was founded in the 8th century by the monk Kobo Daishi, Kukai, on the edge of a bamboo grove. There are around 8,000 stone images and pagodas that commemorate the individuals that have died without family and therefore had no place of rest. Many of these people perished on their pilgrimage to Mt. Atago.
Corpses of those that were poor and without family were abandoned, most of the time without a proper burial. About 1,200 years ago Kukai had the remains properly interred and constructed a temple, the Nyorai-ji. Later, another monk named Honen, built a dojo for reciting prayers for the souls of the lost to rest.
It is estimated that there are thousands of remains in this one area. Each year on August 23-24th a ceremony is held and for two nights a monk chants sutras over a thousand candles that illuminate the stone statues.
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