This site was once home to a collection of buildings, including a three-story pagoda, a main hall, a lecture hall, and a bell tower. Among them was the Uchiyama Eikyu-ji Temple.

Its history goes back to the Heian Period, when it was founded by the emperor of the time. This place created a setting where culture and faith intertwined. True to its name, the temple enjoyed a long and peaceful existence alongside the teachings of Buddhism.

However, during the Meiji Period, significant changes occurred. The order to separate Shinto and Buddhism and a rise in anti-Buddhist movements led to the destruction of many Buddhist temples in Japan.

Uchiyama Eikyu-ji Temple faced a devastating fate, with every last tile removed and its buildings reduced to rubble.

However, not everything was lost. Prayers have a power that transcends buildings. The feelings contained within them persist, even when the physical forms are gone. This quiet scenery can serve as a reminder of that truth.

Continuing along the Yamanobe-no-Michi Path from this spot, you’ll find a small Jizo statue by the roadside. With flowers and water offered to it, this moss-covered stone holds traces of someone's prayers. Jizo statues stem from folk beliefs and quietly accept people's wishes, whether they’re mourning for lost children, praying for the safety of travelers, or keeping memories of a lost temple alive.

Even when larger temples are destroyed, these small prayers take root in the land and continue to this day. Like grass growing in the fields—resilient and strong, they grow anew even when trampled or cut.

If you encounter a Jizo statue during your travels, consider taking a moment to pray. This ancient road has welcomed the hopes of many, and now, your journey is part of that story.