Hill of Hope (Miraishin-no-Oka)

In short

Hill of Hope (Miraishin-no-Oka) is a white marble garden spread within the Kosanji Museum, on the grounds of Kosanji Temple in Setoda on Ikuchijima Island. Covering an area of approximately 5,000 square meters, it was created by the sculptor Kuetani Itto, who was born in Hiroshima Prefecture, and 12 years after construction began, the first section opened to the public in 2000. All of the marble was quarried in Carrara, Italy, and transported by ship.

• ​Tower of Light (Komyo no To)​​: A tower representing the light, in other words hope, emitted by Nitten, the deity among the Twelve Devas who represents the sun
• ​Wind of the Four Seasons (Kaze no Shiki)​​: A work modeled after the folding screens of Fūten, the wind deity who guards the northwest
• ​Walking in Search of the Twelve Devas​​: Every monument is associated with the Twelve Devas and linked to the direction it guards, and strolling while searching for the pairings reveals the overall layout of the hill

History and Highlights

​Hill of Hope (Miraishin-no-Oka)​ is a white marble garden spread within the Kosanji Museum, on the grounds of Kosanji Temple in Setoda on Ikuchijima Island. Covering an area of approximately 5,000 square meters, it was created by the sculptor ​Kuetani Itto​​, who was born in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Production began in 1988, and after 12 years of construction, the first section opened to the public in 2000. All of the marble used was quarried in Carrara, Italy, and transported by ship. After touring the brightly colored temple halls of Kosanji Temple, the vista of a pure white hill that opens up evokes the scenery of the Mediterranean.

Monuments, each with its own name and theme, are placed on the hill. Every monument is associated with the "Twelve Devas" (Juniten), Buddhist guardian deities that protect the eight directions, heaven and earth, and the sun and moon, and each is linked to the direction it guards. This design is unique to a garden situated within a Buddhist temple.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Tower of Light (Komyo no To)​​: A tower representing the light—symbolizing hope—emitted by Nitten (the sun deity), one of the Twelve Devas. It also carries the meaning of joining hands in prayer toward the sun setting in the west.
• ​Wind of the Four Seasons (Kaze no Shiki)​​: A work modeled after the folding screens of Fūten, the wind deity who guards the northwest. One way to enjoy it is to look at the screens and ponder which one corresponds to spring, summer, autumn, or winter.
• ​Walking in Search of the Twelve Devas​​: Strolling while searching for pairings of monuments and guardian deities—such as the "Tower of the White Lion" dedicated to Rasetsuten guarding the southwest, and the "Little Garden of the White Elephant" dedicated to Taishakuten guarding the east—reveals the overall layout of the hill. At the top of the hill, there is also the cafe "Cuore."

Walking Tips

To reach Hill of Hope (Miraishin-no-Oka), proceed deep into the grounds of Kosanji Temple and climb to the uppermost tier. Highlights of the temple halls and pagodas of Kosanji Temple are introduced in the "Kosanji Temple" guide entry. On sunny days, the reflection off the white marble is strong, so bringing a hat and sunglasses will ensure a comfortable visit. The Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art is located nearby, and visiting both makes exploring Setoda even more enjoyable.