With moss slowly growing on their heads, the copious creepy, peculiar, and occasionally humorous statues at Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple have a mysterious allure. The location on the border between the city of Kyoto and the surrounding mountain forests adds to the effect. Through summer heat and winter rain, the statues maintain a constant vigil from every which direction. The temple has never been busy when I've visited, so it's a fine way to experience something different and off the beaten track in the tourist magnet that is Kyoto.
