Guide
Kumedera is a Shingon sect (Omuro school) temple located in Kume-cho, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture. Its mountain name is Reizen-zan. The temple's primary deity is Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha), and it has long been revered for its legendary healing powers, particularly for eye ailments. The temple is also deeply connected to the lineage of Kobo Daishi (Kukai), serving as a significant site within the history of Shingon Buddhism. One of its most striking features is the Tahota Pagoda, an Important Cultural Property originally relocated from the famous Ninna-ji Temple in Kyoto, showcasing exquisite Momoyama-style architecture.
The origins of the temple are tied to the legend of Prince Kume, the younger brother of Prince Shotoku. It is said that Prince Kume suffered from an eye disease during his childhood and, through his prayers to Yakushi Nyorai, regained his sight. This history establishes the temple as a sacred site for healing. Furthermore, the area is famous for the legend of