Ōno-ji

Ōno-ji (大野寺) is a Buddhist temple located in Kudoyama, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. It is affiliated with the Koyasan Shingon sect.

Ōno-ji is known for its large relief carving of Miroku Bosatsu (Maitreya Bodhisattva) on a cliff face overlooking the Kinokawa River. This carving, known as the Iwakage Miroku, is considered a significant cultural asset. The temple is believed to have been founded in the Nara period, with legends linking it to the monk Gyōki. The Miroku Bosatsu carving is thought to date back to the Kamakura period.

The temple grounds also include a main hall (Hondo) and other subsidiary structures. Ōno-ji attracts visitors seeking spiritual solace and those interested in Buddhist art and history. The peaceful setting and the impressive scale of the cliffside carving contribute to its appeal.