Hoon-ji Temple.

Founded in 1394 by the Nanbu clan, Hoon-ji is a Rinzai Zen temple best known for its Rakan-do, a hall housing one of Japan’s most remarkable collections of wooden statuary. Inside, 499 "rakan" (disciples of Buddha) are arranged in dense rows, each carved by Kyoto artisans between 1731 and 1734. Unlike the somber, uniform figures found elsewhere, these life-sized lacquered statues are celebrated for their vivid, almost humorous individuality; they lean, chat, and doze with distinct facial expressions and international features. Local lore even suggests that historical figures like Marco Polo and Kublai Khan are hidden among the crowd. The temple sits at the end of a scenic road frequently cited as one of the most picturesque in the country, offering a quiet, slightly eerie, and deeply human encounter with Edo-period artistry.