Nakayama-dera Temple is located in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture, and is the first Kannon temple in Japan, said to have been founded by Prince Shotoku. It is the 24th temple of the Thirty-Three Kannon Temples of the Western Provinces, and has long been a place of worship for prayers for safe childbirth and child-bearing. It is particularly famous for the "Oobi-iwai" ceremony, where worshippers receive a belly band. The temple grounds are lined with vermilion-painted pagodas, main halls, and five-story pagodas, creating a solemn and beautiful atmosphere.

The approach to the main hall is maintained over a wide area, and elevators and escalators are also available to make it easy to visit the temple even with a stroller or wheelchair. The plum and cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn leaves in autumn are beautiful, allowing you to visit the temple while feeling the changes of nature with each season. The plum grove in spring is particularly famous, and is crowded with many tourists during the peak viewing period. In addition, the temple grounds offer a panoramic view of Takarazuka city, and on clear days, the open view that stretches all the way to Osaka Bay is also an attractive feature.

Nakayama-dera is said to have various benefits, such as protection from evil and recovery from illness, as well as prayers for safe childbirth. In the temple grounds, there is a Jizo statue of a child-granting god and a place to hang votive plaques for safe childbirth, and the prayers of many people are placed there.

[Trivia]
At Nakayama-dera, there is a custom of offering a daruma doll of the same color as the baby's gender when making a visit to give thanks for a prayer for safe childbirth. The sight of many daruma dolls lined up is overwhelming.

[Hidden gems]
The main hall and pagoda are famous, but if you take a stroll around the temple grounds, you will find hidden gems such as small shrines and stone Buddha statues tucked away in the back, where you can find a calming spot. In particular, the "Star Square" at the back of the temple grounds has a great view and is perfect for a break. In addition, the plum grove is very beautiful in spring, so it is recommended to visit during the cherry blossom season.