Tahoto is a two-storied pagoda composed of a square lower story and a cylindrical upper story. Usually, a finial is erected atop the roof.

The Tahoto pagoda of Akaibo Temple is located in the precinct of Hanaoka Hachimangu Shrine next to Akaibo Temple because Akaibo used to be one of the nine attached temples of the shrine. It is said that the pagoda was erected at the site where one of the 16 pagodas that had been erected by Fujiwara no Kamatari (614-669) in the Asuka period used to have been located. The present pagoda is presumed to be constructed in the late Muromachi period because a wooden plate with the year 1560 written in Japanese ink on it was discovered when it was demolished for renovation in 1928.

The elaborate woodwork has been preserved in its original form. The bracket complex under the upper roof is especially beautiful. The Kokera-buki (thin wooden shingles) roof is largely-cambered. With a total height of 13.5 meters, the upper story is relatively tall, compared to other tahoto pagodas.

Noma Daibo, or formally named Omidoji Temple, is a temple belonging to the Shingon sect of Buddhism. Its history dates back to the era ruled by Emperor Tenmu in the middle of the 7th century.

Noma Daibo is famous as the place where Minamoto no Yoshitomo, the father of Yoritomo and Yoshitsune, was killed unarmed when he was taking a bath. In 1159, Yoshitomo was defeated by the Taira clan in the Heiji Rebellion and escaped from Kyoto, heading for the east via Mino province and Chita Peninsula. In the village of Noma, Yoshitomo stayed at the residence of Osada Tadamune, Yoshitomo’s retainer Kamata Masakiyo’s father-in-law, who betrayed Yoshitomo for the reward from the Taira clan and killed him in the bathroom.

In the precinct is Yoshitomo’s grave, which is surrounded by wooden swaords, as it is said that Yoshitomo’s last words were “If only I had a wooden swaor, I wouldn’t have been killed.” It is also believed that one who dedicates a wooden sword here will have his prayer answered.

The Blood Pond, where the betrayes washed Yoshitomo’s head, and the ruins of the bathroom also remain in the precinct.

Gensobo located in Kure City, Hiroshima Pref. is a temple founded by a Buddhist priest Inada Genso in 1906. Priest Genso had traveled around the country doing austere training for three years and decided to save people suffering from illness. He built a temple, grew and brewed herbs, took care of sick people and carved images of Buddha. Now there are 15 Buddhist statues standing along the path in the precinct. When the temple was founded, the precinct was finely arranged like a park filled with seasonal flowers, but it has been damaged by flood three times and some of the stone statues were destroyed. At the present day, the temple is maintained by Priest Genso’s grandson, Mr. Shogen Harada, who hopes the precinct is used as the place of relaxation by the visitors.