Founded in 645, this Kegon-sect temple is the foremost of Japan's Three Great Monju sacred sites. The National Treasure Manjushri by sculptor Kaikei stands seven meters tall — Japan's largest Monju statue — drawing students seeking academic success. A platform where Abe no Seimei reportedly practiced astronomy makes it a pilgrimage site for fans of the legendary onmyoji.

According to temple tradition, Abe-no-Kurahashimaro, a minister of the imperial court, founded Abe Monjuin in 645 as a clan temple of the Abe family. The temple belongs to the Kegon sect of Buddhism and has long been revered as the foremost of Japan's three great Monju sanctuaries. During the Kamaku…