In the mountains north of Izumo Taisha, overlooking the Sea of Japan, the small temple of Gakuenji has been standing since at least the 5th century C.E. There have been various mythologies regarding the founding of the temple, but it was built to pray for healing Empress Suiko who was suffering from an eye infection. The temple was founded and then it was expanded upon until the complex spread across the mountain ravine in which it was built. Over the years however, it has sadly fallen into disrepair so there are really only a few buildings. But, because of renewed interest from tourists, there are a variety of projects in the works to continue to preserve and repair the various buildings of the complex.

For the casual: 8. For the educated: 8.

The appeal of this temple is genuinly the forest it’s built in. In the summer the leaves are vibrant green and still moist with the humid air, in autumn the leaves turn bright red and orange, winter brings the occasional blanketing of snow, and spring is known for the explosion of flowers in bloom. Each of the buildings is also weathered, portraying the years that each wood pannel has seen. But overall I think my favorite part of the complex was the moss. There is moss covering everything, and it’s that beautiful rich green that also looks more like a fine carpet than a plant. It’s really and incredible sight to behold.

There is a building outside of the main complex up the road a few hundred meters which has a small building built into a cliffside behind a water fall. This building in particular is refereced in the various tourism advertisements for Shimane Prefecture and the Izumo area. I was unable to see this building for myself due to an encroaching thunderstorm, but I look forward to my chance to see it in person.