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Temples & Shrines

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The significance of this temple is the import of Green tea, a now very common product in Japanese culture, which was brought to Japan from china by the priest Eisai who also founded the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. The founder of Aikido (a Japanese are of self defence) was buried in these grounds.

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Kozanji was founded in the year 774 to mark the acceptance of Buddhism by the former Emperor Gotoba. The significance of this temple is the import of Green tea, a now very common product in Japanese culture, which was brought to Japan from china by the priest Eisai who also founded the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. In the outer precincts of Kozanji there lies an old burial ground, which holds the grave of Ueshiba who is the founder of Aikido (a Japanese art of self defense derived from Judo). Many people form around the world will come and visit his grave to pay their respects. If you get a chance to see it in autumn when the leaves are changing colour, that is the best season to enjoy the beauty of the gardens