20 Temples in Aomori worth your time

A historic Shingon sect temple in Fukaura featuring ancient maritime treasures and a National Important Cultural Property shrine.

What it is

• A Shingon Daigo sect temple founded in 807 by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro.
• The temple is dedicated to the Eleven-faced Kannon and served the Tsugaru clan.
• It houses maritime faith materials designated as important folk cultural properties.
• The current main hall and mountain gate were constructed in 1920.

What to see

• The Yakushido inner shrine is a designated National Important Cultural Property.
• A large cedar tree on the grounds once served as a landmark for sailors.
• The Yakushido hall which dates back to its construction in 1847.
• A collection of historical maritime faith materials and cultural artifacts.

Getting there

• The temple is a 20-minute walk from JR Fukaura Station.

Official site

www.engakuji.jp

Read more about Engaku-ji Temple

A historic Shingon sect temple in Owani housing a massive, National Important Cultural Property wooden Amida Nyorai statue.

What it is

• A Koyasan Shingon sect temple commonly known as Owani no Dainichi-sama.
• Founded in Hirosaki and moved to its current site in 1650 by Lord Tsugaru Nobuyoshi.
• The fourteenth site on the Tohoku 36 Fudo Pilgrimage route.
• Renamed from Kohaku-ji to Daien-ji in 1871 during the Meiji era.

What to see

• A wooden seated statue of Amida Nyorai dating back to the Kamakura period.
• The central deity statue stands 233 centimeters tall and is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Architecture and artifacts preserved through the protection of the Tsugaru clan during the Edo period.

Getting there

• The temple is a 10-minute walk from Owani-Onsen Station.

Read more about Daien-ji Temple

Kudo-ji Temple: a historic Shingon temple with unique art and a special annual ritual.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha temple.
• First temple of the Tsugaru Sanjusan Kannon Reijo.
• One of the Tsugaru Shingon Gozan temples.

What to see

• Main image is a Shō Kannon statue.
• Statue attributed to Ennin (Jikaku Daishi).
• Ghost painting "Hangonko no Zu" by Maruyama Okyo.
• Temple grounds include Kumano-sha and Hakusan-do shrines.

When to go

• Oshira-ko ritual held annually on May 15th and 16th.
• Oshira-ko ritual is an intangible folk cultural property.

Address

青森県弘前市坂元山元1 Map

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This Sōtō Zen temple, founded in 862, offers unique hot springs and spiritual traditions.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple in Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture.
• Also known as Osorezan Bodai-ji.
• Founded in 862 by the monk Ennin.
• Revived in 1522 by the monk Jukaku.

What to see

• Temple grounds with fumaroles and hot springs.
• Four hot springs used as public baths.
• Itako mediums perform kuchiyose during festivals.

When to go

• Open from May 1st to October 31st.
• Osorezan Grand Festival is held July 20th to 24th.

Address

青森県むつ市田名部字宇曽利山3-2 Map

Official site

osorezan.or.jp

Read more about Bodai-ji Temple

Sōtō Zen temple with important Edo-period architecture and a historic mausoleum.

What it is

• Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple, founded in the early 17th century.
• Main deity is Shakamuni Buddha.
• Designated as a Hirosaki City historic site.

What to see

• Main hall is an Important Cultural Property.
• Main hall has an irimoya-zukuri, thatched roof.
• Tsugaru Tamenobu mausoleum is an Important Cultural Property.
• Crape myrtle trees are a natural monument.

Getting there

• Take Kōnan Bus to Mukōkomae bus stop.

Address

〒036-8373 青森県弘前市藤代１丁目４−１ Map

Official site

www.kakusyuji.or.jp

Read more about Kakushū-ji Temple

Seiryū-ji Temple in Aomori City features Japan's largest bronze seated Buddha and a tall cypress pagoda.

What it is

• Kōyasan branch temple in Aomori City.
• Founded as the 18th site of the Tohoku 36 Fudōson Pilgrimage.

What to see

• Japan's largest bronze seated Dainichi Nyorai statue, Showa Daibutsu.
• Showa Daibutsu is 21.35 meters tall and weighs 220 tons.
• A 39-meter-tall Aomori Hiba cypress five-story pagoda.
• The main hall, completed in October 1992.

When to go

• Open daily from 8:00 to 17:30.
• No closed days.

Address

青森県青森市大字桑原字山崎45 Map

Official site

showa-daibutu.com

Read more about Seiryū-ji Temple

A 1920 Gothic brick church in Hirosaki, notable for its architecture and historic organ.

What it is

• A Christian church founded by missionaries in 1896.
• The current building was constructed in 1920.
• It was designated a Prefectural Important Cultural Property in 1993.

What to see

• A Gothic building with red brick walls and buttresses.
• A bell tower on the front right side of the building.
• An American-Schoninger reed organ from 1882-1883.
• Fusuma separating the chapel and narthex.

Read more about Hirosaki Ascension Church

Hōkō-ji Temple is a Sōtō Zen temple with a pagoda and a pine tree avenue.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple.
• Founded by Hōjō Tokiyori.
• Main deity is Shakamuni Buddha.
• Rebuilt after an 1878 fire.

What to see

• Jōyōtō Pagoda, 33 meters high.
• Pagoda enshrines Dōgen's remains.
• Pagoda is a registered cultural property.
• A 500-meter pine tree avenue.
• 23 pine trees are natural monuments.

When to go

• Open from mid-April to early November.

Address

青森県三戸郡南部町大字法光寺字法光寺20 Map

Read more about Hōkō-ji Temple

Saishō-in Temple, founded in 1532, is home to Japan's northernmost five-storied pagoda.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1532 by Kōshin.
• Became the domain's permanent prayer place.
• Known as the "Temple of the Five-Storied Pagoda."

What to see

• A main hall and Niōmon gate.
• A five-storied pagoda, completed in 1667.
• The pagoda is an Important Cultural Property.
• The pagoda is Japan's northernmost.
• A hexagonal hall, rebuilt in 2006.

Address

青森県弘前市大字銅屋町63 Map

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Taigū-ji Temple houses Aomori's largest Edo-period Buddha, a significant cultural property worth seeing.

What it is

• A Tendai sect temple.
• Founded in 1677 by Tsugaru Nobumasa.
• Originally named Muryōin Kannon-dō.
• Became independent and renamed in the Meiji era.

What to see

• The Main Hall, a prefectural cultural property.
• An Eleven-faced Kannon statue, 6 meters tall.
• The Kannon statue is also called "Setaka Kannon."
• Largest Edo-period Buddha statue in Aomori Prefecture.

Address

青森県弘前市新寺町26 Map

Official site

www.taiguji.org

Read more about Taigū-ji Temple

Hirosaki Church is a historic wooden Gothic church, the oldest in Tohoku, worth visiting for its unique architecture.

What it is

• Oldest church in the Tohoku region.
• Seventh oldest Protestant church in Japan.
• Established in 1875, current building constructed in 1906.
• Designated an Aomori Prefectural Important Cultural Property.

What to see

• Wooden single-story structure with a gable roof.
• French Gothic-style twin towers.
• Exterior walls with buttresses and pointed arch windows.

Official site

www.churchwebsite.org

Read more about Hirosaki Church

Hōshō-in Temple is a Sōtō Zen temple with unique oil paintings of Shaka's life.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple.
• Its principal image is Shaka Nyorai.
• One of 33 Sōtō Zen temples in Zenrin-gai.
• Moved to Hirosaki City during the Keichō era.

What to see

• Current temple buildings completed in 1938.
• Eight oil paintings are among the temple treasures.
• Paintings depict the life story of Shaka.
• Paintings were completed in 1976.

Address

青森県弘前市西茂森1-15-1 Map

Read more about Hōshō-in Temple

Daiji-ji is a historic Soto Zen temple with unique architecture and important cultural treasures.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple founded in 1411.
• Dedicated to Sho Kannon Bosatsu.
• Part of two Kannon pilgrimage routes.

What to see

• Main hall, gate, and sutra repository are prefectural treasures.
• Temple gate built in 1831.
• Sixteen Arhat statues enshrined in the gate.
• Sutra repository built in 1858.
• Octagonal rotating shelf inside the sutra repository.

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A historic Sōtō Zen temple with important cultural properties, founded in 1528.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple.
• Founded in 1528 by Ōura Morinobu.
• Main deity is Shaka Nyorai.
• Was a Sōtō Zen monastic office during Edo period.

What to see

• The main hall, an Important Cultural Property.
• Several Important Cultural Properties.
• Several prefectural important treasures.
• A Hirosaki City designated tangible cultural property.

Address

青森県弘前市西茂森1-13-8 Map

Read more about Chōshō-ji Temple

Chōen-ji Temple is a historic site in Goshogawara with a unique bronze bell.

What it is

• A temple founded in 1667.
• Founded by Shōgan Unshuku.
• Its sango (mountain name) is Daiisan.

What to see

• A bronze bell cast in 1716.
• The bell is an Aomori Prefecture Important Cultural Property.
• It is 127cm high and 77cm in diameter.
• The bell has carvings of flutes, drums, and celestial maidens.
• Carvings also include karashishi.

Address

青森県五所川原市飯詰字福泉224-3 Map

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Yōshin-ji Temple is a historic Nichiren-shu temple with a unique grave and a notable statue.

What it is

• A Nichiren-shu temple.
• Founded in 1853 as Mihashisan Yōshin-an.
• Its sango (mountain name) is Mihashisan.
• Founded by Yōshin-in Nissho.

What to see

• A grave for victims of the Chessborough shipwreck.
• The Chessborough was an American sailing ship.
• A Kishimojin statue made by Hayashi Nyosui.
• The statue was created in 1859.

Address

青森県つがる市木造筒木坂松本99-1 Map

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Seisui-ji Temple offers a glimpse into history with Aomori's oldest outdoor building.

What it is

• A temple of the Shinshu Otani sect.
• Founded by Ennin.
• Converted to Jodo Shinshu in 1869.

What to see

• Kannon-do is an Important Cultural Property.
• Kannon-do built in 1581.
• Kannon-do is Aomori Prefecture's oldest outdoor building.

Getting there

• 7-minute drive from JR Hon-Hachinohe Station.

Address

青森県八戸市 是川字中居18-2 Map

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A unique pink Catholic church in Hachinohe, recognized for its distinctive modern architecture.

What it is

• A Catholic church in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture.
• Belongs to the Sendai Diocese.
• Existed before 1931.
• Current building completed in 1984.

What to see

• Almost entirely pink building.
• Tower with a cross and bell at the south end.
• Roof slopes towards the south and north ends.
• Award-winning modern architecture.

Read more about Catholic Shiomachi Church

Fumon-in Temple is a Soto Zen temple, part of a pilgrimage, with a significant Kannon statue.

What it is

• A Soto Zen Buddhist temple.
• Its mountain name is Kannon-zan.
• The principal image is Shokannon Bosatsu.
• Rebuilt in 1678 by Tsugaru Nobumasa.

What to see

• The 33rd temple of the Tsugaru 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
• One of 33 temples in Zenringai, Nishishigemori-machi.
• Enku-made Eleven-faced Kannon, discovered in 1980.

Address

青森県弘前市西茂森2丁目17-4 Map

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Renge-ji Temple is a historic Nichiren temple with a cultural property and a resilient main hall.

What it is

• A Nichiren sect temple.
• Originated from a hermitage founded in 1294.
• Rebuilt in 1650 by Nichiju of Myoken-ji Temple.
• Relocated to its current site in 1664.

What to see

• Hokkedo Chagama, a designated tangible cultural property.
• Current main hall, rebuilt in 1927.
• Main hall survived the 1945 Aomori Air Raid.

Address

青森県青森市本町一丁目5-12 Map

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