Okinawa｜Miniature Thousand Torii Gates and Colorful Daruma Dolls - Seirai-in Temple

If you visit Shuri Castle, you can also stop by Seirai-in Temple for a visit. This urbanized temple is not very large and is vertically structured, yet it has everything you might expect. It serves as a spiritual haven for locals and is also a favorite among foreign tourists. The full name of the temple is Daruma Peak Seirai-in, also known as Daruma Temple. It belongs to the Myoshinji sect of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism and is said to have been established over 1,600 years ago. The temple enshrines the Bodhisattva Kannon and was originally located in Ibomachi before being relocated to its current site during the Meiji era. Nestled in a narrow alley, you’ll know you’ve found the right place when you see the Nio Gate. On the first floor, there is a venue for rituals and events. As you ascend to the second floor, you’ll find a miniature version of the Thousand Torii Gates built on the balcony. Interspersed among them are the Daruma Hall dedicated to Daruma Daishi, the Two Deities Hall dedicated to Benzaiten, a miniature shrine for wealth, and an Inari Shrine. The colorful Daruma dolls for making wishes are located next to the Daruma Hall. Inside, you’ll find three stone Daruma figures in small, medium, and large sizes. Legend has it that if you can lift them, your wish will come true. On the third floor, in front of the main hall, there is a statue of Daruma Daishi. The temple staff say that touching the statue can bring blessings for exam success or good health. The solemn main hall enshrines the Bodhisattva Kannon and displays various amulets and ema (wooden prayer plaques). The ceiling features a vivid painting of a dragon, showcasing the centuries-old fusion of Buddhism and Shintoism in Japan. As a side note, during the Ryukyu Kingdom era, the Shuri Twelve Zodiac Pilgrimage was popular. Temples like Jigen-in, Ankoku-ji, Seiko-ji, and Seirai-in each represent guardians for different zodiac signs. If you visit Okinawa, you might want to find your guardian temple. 📍Address: 〒903-0813 Okinawa Prefecture, Naha City, Shuri Akata Town 1-5-1 🚗 Accessible by monorail: A six-minute walk from Shuri Station.