Legendary Bell tower
Category

Sightseeing

Price

¥100

Est. Duration

0-30m

Message from Empty Japan

Huge bell in the Temple's complex that anyone can ring (which is a pretty rare thing throughout the Temples). Throw a coin as an offering into the box, pay your respects by bowing, and ring the bell.

The most interesting part is the legend behind that bell. In the past, Nasubi-baba was a noblewoman. She lived centuries ago and served in the imperial court, but she committed a grave crime. Some say it was eating an animal, while others claim murder. After her death, she was damned to hell; however, she was repentant in life and sought forgiveness from the Buddhas and the priests of Enryaku-ji. Even though her body descended into hell, her spirit was allowed to remain on Mount Hiei. To this day, she comes to warn the temple of disasters as a token of her gratitude to the Buddhas.

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