16 Temples in Akita worth your time

This temple, founded in 1489, offers a rare blend of Buddhist and Shinto worship.

What it is

• Temple of the Sōtō school of Buddhism, Zen sect.
• Founded in 1489, re-established in 1610, moved in 1771.
• Served as family temple of the Tagaya clan.
• Dedicated to Kannon, bodhisattva of compassion.

What to see

• Main gate (sanmon) of relatively simple design.
• Main hall (hondō) rebuilt in 1771.
• Large, circular image of a dragon on main hall ceiling.
• Uguisubari, or "nightingale floor," in front entryway.
• Large weeping cherry trees on the grounds.

When to go

• Springtime for cherry-blossom viewing (hanami).

Address

秋田県能代市檜山字小間木52 Map

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Henjō-in Temple is a historic temple in Ōdate, rebuilt after war, known for its fire walking ceremony.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha temple.
• Established in 1610.
• Dedicated to Fudō Myōō.
• Its mountain name is Iōzan.

What to see

• The principal image of Fudō Myōō.
• The temple buildings rebuilt after the Boshin War.

When to go

• Annually in June for the fire walking ceremony.

Getting there

• Located at 6 Kamimachi, Ōdate City.
• Next to Ōdate Castle ruins.

Address

秋田県大館市上町6 Map

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Tennei-ji is a Soto Zen temple with historic gates, a cemetery, and cherry trees near Kakunodate Station.

What it is

• A Soto Zen Buddhist temple.
• Its mountain name is Banshozan.
• Dedicated to Shaka Nyorai.
• Main hall rebuilt in 1969.

What to see

• Fire-prevention Kannon statue in the main hall.
• Temple gate with a 1791 inscription.
• Ashina family cemetery with 10 tombstones.
• Bronze Buddha statue.
• Over 10 cherry trees.

Getting there

• 0.8 km from Kakunodate Station.

Address

秋田県仙北市角館町上新町10 Map

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Jōmyō-ji Temple is a historic Shinshu Otani-ha temple with a unique gate and significant artifacts.

What it is

• A Shinshu Otani-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded between 1504 and 1521.
• Founder Saido was from the Ando clan.

What to see

• Temple gate relocated from Hiyama Castle.
• Gate is an important example of Momoyama style.
• Gate designated a prefectural tangible cultural property.
• Main image is a 60cm Buddhist statue enshrined in 1606.
• Kubizuka of Asari Katsuyori is on the grounds.

Address

秋田県能代市檜山字檜山町40番地 Map

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This historic Soto Zen temple in Akita City is the family temple of the Satake clan.

What it is

• Soto Zen temple in Akita City.
• Founded in 1462 by Satake Yoshito.
• Family temple of the Satake lords of Kubota Domain.
• Designated an Akita Prefecture historic site.

What to see

• Main image is Sho Kannon.
• Main hall built in 1687.
• Shoin built in 1806.
• Sanmon gate built in 1709.
• Somon gate from the early 17th century.
• Satake family mausoleum built in 1672.

Address

秋田県秋田市泉三嶽根10-1 Map

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See a huge, gilded Kannon statue at this historic Zen Buddhist temple.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1775 by Keizan Taikaku.
• Eighth sacred site of the Akita 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• The 9m tall, gilded Eleven-faced Kannon statue.
• The Kannon statue is known as Akata Daibutsu.
• The Kannon statue is a municipal tangible cultural property.
• The Daibutsuden is a registered national tangible cultural property.

Address

秋田県由利本荘市赤田上田表115 Map

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Ryūgen-ji Temple is a historic Sōtō Zen temple with a unique thatched main hall.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple.
• Founded in 1623.
• Became the family temple of the Ikoma clan.
• Principal image is Shaka Nyorai.

What to see

• Large wooden main hall with a thatched roof.
• Main hall registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property.
• Burial site of the Yajima Ikoma family.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Yashima Station.

Address

秋田県由利本荘市矢島町城内字田屋の下26 Map

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Dairyū-ji Temple is a Zen temple with a unique tower and extensive garden.

What it is

• Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple.
• Re-established as a Zen temple in 1577.
• Principal image is Shaka Nyorai.
• 46th site of the Akita New Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage.

What to see

• Large tahōtō also serves as a shōrōdō.
• Only tahōtō of its kind in Japan.
• Extensive Jōdo-style garden.
• 800-year-old gorintō.
• Statues of 16 Rakan.
• Statues of 33 Kannon.

Address

秋田県男鹿市船川港船川字鳥屋場34 Map

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Ancient Soto Zen temple founded in 853, with a historic gate and cultural properties.

What it is

• Soto Zen Buddhist temple, mountain name Kogu-zan.
• Principal image is Shakamuni Buddha.
• Founded in 853 by Ennin.
• Became a Soto Zen temple in 1587.

What to see

• Sanmon gate is a designated city structure.
• Collection of 11 volumes of Ryokakushu.
• Painting by Kano Tan'yu is an important cultural property.
• Temple has seven mysteries.

Address

秋田県にかほ市象潟町字象潟島2 Map

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Kankiji is a historic Soto Zen temple with unique statues and a rare Ikebana mound.

What it is

• Soto Zen temple in Akita City.
• Founded as an esoteric Buddhist temple.
• Converted to Soto Zen in 1541.
• Relocated multiple times, last in 2007.

What to see

• Main hall, rebuilt in 2008.
• Statue of Sho Kannon Bosatsu, a cultural property.
• Statues of Zochoten, Sanmen Daikokuten, and Fudo Myoo.
• Rare Ikebana mound on the grounds.

Address

秋田県秋田市下北手梨平字袖ケ沢1-1 Map

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Hodaji Temple is a historic Soto Zen temple, part of two pilgrimages.

What it is

• Soto Zen Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1349 by Gessen Ryoin.
• 23rd site of the Akita 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Daikokuten site of the Akita Seven Lucky Gods.

What to see

• Romon gate is a designated cultural property.
• Main hall is a designated cultural property.
• Main hall rebuilt in 1778, renovated in 1984.

Address

秋田県秋田市山内字松原26番地 Map

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Honkakuji is a historic Jodo-shu temple in Akita with a notable vermilion gate and cultural artifacts.

What it is

• Jodo-shu temple in Misato-cho, Akita Prefecture.
• Converted to Jodo-shu in 1557 by Jorensha Toyo.
• Rebuilt by Hondo Yoshitaka.
• Family temple of Konishi Shotaro and Ebata Shinnosuke.

What to see

• Vermilion-lacquered romon gate.
• Gate has a hip-and-gable roof.
• Houses the 'Shinkei-cho' by Hakun.

Address

秋田県仙北郡美郷町六郷字東高方町26 Map

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Historic Odate Christian church, founded 1887, known for its early evangelism and architecture.

What it is

• A Methodist-affiliated church, founded November 10, 1887.
• Yoshino Bokusui founded the church.
• Joined the United Church of Christ in Japan in 1941.

What to see

• A church building constructed in 1929.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from JR Higashi-Odate Station.

Read more about United Church of Christ in Japan Ōdate Church

Toko-ji is a Soto Zen temple founded in 1821, enshrining farmers' memorial tablets and a statue of its founder.

What it is

• A Soto Zen Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1821.
• Shinra Saburo Yoshimitsu was the founder.
• Enshrines 22 farmers' memorial tablets.

What to see

• A wooden statue of Shinra Saburo Yoshimitsu.
• The main hall, rebuilt in 1974.

Address

秋田県秋田市仁井田本町5-15-8 Map

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Akita Narayama Church is a historic church with a legacy of social activism.

What it is

• A church of the United Church of Christ in Japan.
• Founded in autumn 1888 by seven believers.
• Led an anti-prostitution movement in 1922.

What to see

• The church building constructed in 1927.
• The parsonage built in 1968.

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Kōshaku-ji Temple is a historic Sōtō Zen temple, rebuilt by villagers after fires.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple.
• Founded by Eitetsu Oshō.
• Originally a Shingon Buddhist temple.

Getting there

• 10-minute drive from Mitsuseki Station.

Address

秋田県湯沢市高松中村148 Map

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