Visitor Information
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Places to see
Miedo (御影堂) / Portrait Hall
The name ‘Miedo’ literally means “hall of the honorable portrait”. Enshrined inside this building is a portrait of Kobo Daishi that was painted by his disciple Shinnyo. This treasured portrait is surrounded by ten other portraits of Kobo Daishi's disciple. Originally this hall was used by Kobo Daishi to enshrine his Buddhist images and for his personal spiritual training. These two facts make Miedo the most important and sacred building in Danjo Garan.
This hall was closed to the public for many years with the exception of only a few select people that were permitted to enter on special occasion. Recently, there is only one day each year that the public has an opportunity to go inside Meido Hall. ‘Kyu Sho Mie-Ku’*is the name of the special day that Meido is open to the public.
* ‘Kyu Sho Mie-Ku’ is on March 21st according to the lunar calendar.
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