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Saigandenji Temple and Surroundings

The Furubochu area, located close to Mt. Nakadake and its active crater, was once an important center of religious activity By the Muromachi period (1336–1573), some 88 religious retreats known as bo or an, where practitioners of Shugendo (mountain asceticism) came to train, had been established there. Over time, the buildings suffered repeated damage and fell into disrepair and disuse.

Kato Kiyomasa (1562–1611), the lord of Kumamoto, revived the Furubochu sites of worship in 1600. One of the most significant of these sites was Saigandenji Temple, thought to be one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Kyushu.

Every year on April 13, Saigandenji Temple hosts the Kannon Matsuri festival, during which Shugendo practitioners walk barefoot over a fire. The belief is that if the mind is calm and free of worldly thoughts, even fire will feel cool. The festival also includes a ritual in which participants sit in a large iron pot filled with water, which is heated up over a fire. This is said to bless them with good health throughout the following year.

The main hall, once located at the top of the temple’s long, steep flight of stone steps, burned down in a case of suspected arson in 2001, but the inner hall (Oku-no-in), built in 1889, remains. Celebrated author Natsume Soseki (1867–1916) immortalized the temple grounds in his novel Nihyaku Toka (The 210th Day).

西巖殿寺及其周圍

位於中岳及其活火山口附近的古坊中區域，曾是阿蘇地區宗教活動的重要據點之一。到室町時代（1336-1573）為止，古坊中地區已建有多達八十八處被稱為「坊」或「庵」的宗教用場所，專為修驗道（山岳修行）的修行者修煉所用。物換星移，這些建築物數度遭受損壞，年久失修，今日僅留斷井頹垣。

熊本地區的大名——加藤清正（1562-1611）於1600年復興了古坊中的參拜聖地。其中被認為是九州最古老佛教寺廟之一的西巖殿寺，便是其重拾往日風采的代表性建築。

每年的4月13日，西巖殿寺都會舉辦「阿蘇山觀音祭（渡火）」。修行者赤足行走於火上，因為人們相信只要心境從容，超脫世俗雜念，即使是碰觸烈火也能感覺涼爽。在這場祭典上，更有在鐵鍋中填滿水，點火加熱，參加者靜坐其中的誦經儀式。經此儀式，據說可庇佑今後一年無病無災。

正殿曾位於寺廟長而陡峭的石階頂端，在2001年疑遭縱火焚毀。目前僅存建於1889年的後殿。知名文豪夏目漱石（1867-1916）曾在小說《二百十日》中提及此寺，令寺廟的內部樣貌流芳百世。

西岩殿寺及其周边

坐落于中岳及其活火山口附近的古坊中区域，曾是阿苏地区宗教活动举足轻重的据点之一。到室町时代（1336-1573）为止，古坊中地区已建有多达八十八处具有宗教性质的宿舍，称为“坊”或“庵”，专为修验道（山岳修行）的修行者修炼所用。沧海桑田，这些建筑物多次遭受损坏，年久失修，如今仅存断井颓垣。

1600年，熊本地区的大名加藤清正（1562-1611）复兴了古坊中的参拜圣地。其中被认为是九州最古老佛教寺院之一的西岩殿寺，便是复兴建筑中的佼佼者。

每年的4月13日，西岩殿寺都会举办“阿苏山观音祭”(渡火)。修行者赤足行走于火上，因为人们相信只要心境沉着，抛开世俗杂念，即便碰触烈火也能感觉凉爽。在这场祭典上，更有于铁锅中盛满水，点火加热，参与者静坐其中的诵经仪式。通过该仪式，据说可庇佑今后一年无病无灾。

正殿曾位于寺院长而陡峭的石阶顶端，2001年，疑似因人为纵火而遭焚毁。目前仅存留建于1889年的后殿。知名作家夏目漱石（1867-1916）曾在小说《二百十日》中言及此寺，令寺院的内部风貌万古长青。