Yasaka Koshindo (Kongo-ji Temple)

The "Kukuri-zaru" (tied monkey) seals away desires, and you can discipline your heart and make a wish.

A Tendai sect temple founded in 960. It is one of the three great Koshin temples in Japan, along with Osaka's Shitennoji Koshindo and Tokyo's Iriya Koshindo (no longer in existence). It is famous for the "tied monkeys," which are said to grant wishes if one seals away one's desires and offers them to the principal image of the temple, Shomen Kongo.
The photo shows a "tied monkey." The monkey's hands and feet are tied together to create a talisman to discipline one's selfishness.

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  Statues of "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" that are said to be messengers of Koshin.

• Check!

  You'll want to snap a photo without even thinking about it! The temple grounds are lined with rows of colorful "tied monkeys," creating a truly photogenic sight.

• Official website