20 Temples in Fukui worth your time

A Jodo Shinshu temple relocated to a scenic lakeside, featuring a main hall rebuilt in 1892 and mountain views.

What it is

• A Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha temple dedicated to the worship of Amida Nyorai.
• Originally established as a Tendai sect temple on Terayama before converting during the Bunmei era.
• Relocated and reconstructed in 1998 on the shore of the Kawachigawa Dam lake.
• The current main hall was rebuilt in 1892 after a fire destroyed the previous structure.

What to see

• The main hall which dates back to the late nineteenth century.
• Scenic views of the surrounding Kawachigawa Dam lake from the temple grounds.
• The mountain landscape of Gayasan which serves as the temple's mountain name.

When to go

• A special New Year's Day service is held annually on January 1st.

Getting there

• The temple is a ten-minute drive from JR Kaminaka Station.

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Fukutsu-ji Temple: ancient Kannon temple with important statues, worth visiting for cultural properties.

What it is

• Ancient temple in Echizen Town, Fukui Prefecture.
• Dedicated to Kannon Bosatsu, the main deity.
• Founded in 717 by Taicho Daishi.
• Rebuilt in 1982.

What to see

• Shokanzeon Bosatsu statue, a prefectural cultural property.
• Senju Kannon Bosatsu statue, a prefectural cultural property.
• Dainichi Nyorai statue, a prefectural cultural property.
• Fudo Myoo statue, a town cultural property.
• Bronze bell, a town cultural property.
• Two Sangaku mathematical tablets, town cultural properties.

Getting there

• 20-minute drive from Sabae Station.

Address

福井県丹生郡越前町朝日7-61 Map

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Ancient temple known for its Omizuokuri ritual and important cultural properties.

What it is

• Tendai sect temple, founded in 714 by Shamon Katsugen.
• Certified as a Japan Heritage site in 2015.
• Performs the 'Omizuokuri' ritual for Tōdai-ji Nigatsu-dō.

What to see

• Main hall rebuilt in 1553, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.
• Seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai is the main image.
• Niōmon gate rebuilt in the late Kamakura period.
• Niōmon gate houses a pair of wooden Kongō Rikishi statues.
• Wooden male and female deity statues from early Muromachi period.
• Shii tree designated as a natural monument.

Address

福井県小浜市神宮寺30-4 Map

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Visit this Soto Zen temple to see ancient ruins, a burial mound, and historic statues.

What it is

• A Soto Zen Buddhist temple, founded as Wakasa Province Kokubun-soji Temple.
• Its mountain name is Gokoku-zan.
• The main deity is Shaka Nyorai.
• Certified as a Japan Heritage site in 2015.

What to see

• The current Shaka-do hall, rebuilt around 1705.
• A wooden seated Yakushi Nyorai statue, a National Important Cultural Property.
• The temple site overlaps with ancient temple ruins.
• The Wakasa Kokubun-ji Temple ruins are a National Historic Site.
• The Kokubun-ji Kofun, a large circular burial mound.

Address

福井県小浜市国分53-1 Map

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Mantoku-ji Temple: a historic Shingon temple with a nationally recognized dry landscape garden.

What it is

• Shingon Buddhist temple in Obama, Fukui Prefecture.
• Main deity is Amida Nyorai.
• Predecessor temple mentioned in 1265.
• Garden built in 1677 by Obama domain lord.

What to see

• Karesansui garden with a borrowed landscape.
• Large Japanese maple used in the garden.
• Garden is a national Place of Scenic Beauty.
• Maple is a national Natural Monument.
• Wooden seated Amida Nyorai statue.
• Amida-do (main hall).

When to go

• Listed among Japan's 100 best autumn foliage spots.

Address

〒917-0242 福井県小浜市金屋74-23 Map

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A historic temple in Fukui Prefecture, built on a significant hermitage site.

What it is

• A Betsuin of Shinshu Otani-ha.
• Built on the site of Rennyo's hermitage.
• Origin dates back to Yoshizaki Gobo.
• Became Shinshu Otani-ha Yoshizaki Betsuin in 1747.

What to see

• The hermitage site is a nationally designated historic site.
• Main hall, meeting hall, and treasure hall.
• Renshido, bell tower, and main gate.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Kagaonsen Station.
• Accessible by taxi from Awaraonsen Station.
• A 40-minute drive from Komatsu Airport.

Address

福井県あわら市吉崎1丁目301 Map

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Myotaiji is a historic Nichiren-shu temple with important cultural properties and a unique festival.

What it is

• A Nichiren-shu temple, founded in 1295.
• Its mountain name is Otani-zan.
• One of four sacred sites of Myokenji.
• Founded by Nichizo, a grandson in dharma of Nichiren.

What to see

• Shaka Nyorai statue, made in 1635.
• Shaka Nehan-zu painting, from the Momoyama period.
• These are cultural properties of Minamiechizen Town.

When to go

• Myojinkai (Shichifukujin Festival) on Respect for the Aged Day.
• Festival originated from prayers during the Tenmei famine.

Address

福井県南条郡南越前町西大道10-8 Map

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Mago-ji Temple is a historic site of pilgrimage with a rare, ancient Buddha statue.

What it is

• Koyasan Shingon sect temple, mountain name Honkōzan.
• Principal image is Batō Kannon, a secret Buddha.
• Second temple of the Hokuriku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Thirtieth temple of the Wakasa Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• Wooden seated Batō Kannon statue from late Heian period.
• Statue is a National Important Cultural Property.

When to go

• Principal image unveiled once every 25 years.
• Principal image unveiled every 12 years in the Year of the Horse.

Address

福井県大飯郡高浜町馬居寺3-1 Map

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A Soto Zen temple in Fukui, known for its unique cliff Buddha and healing waters.

What it is

• A Soto Zen Kannon-do hall.
• The 7th temple of the Hokuriku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Also called Katate Kannon.
• Believed to benefit hand and foot ailments.

What to see

• Main image is a cliff Buddha carved on granite.
• Hidden Buddha revealed once every 33 years.
• Reiju of Mikataishi Kannon is 'Fukui's Delicious Water'.

When to go

• Next hidden Buddha unveiling is in October 2026.

Getting there

• A 5-minute walk from Mikata Station.

Address

福井県三方上中郡若狭町三方22-1 Map

Read more about Mikata Ishikanzeon Temple

Takidan-ji Temple is a historic Shingon Buddhist temple with a National Treasure and scenic garden.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chisan-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1377 as an hermitage.
• Principal image is Yakushi Nyorai.

What to see

• A gilt bronze floral chime, a National Treasure.
• Six temple buildings, Important Cultural Properties.
• A garden, a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
• The garden was created in the early Edo period.

When to go

• Open 8:00 to 17:00 from March to October.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Mikuni Station.

Address

福井県坂井市三国町滝谷1-7-15 Map

Official site

www.takidanji.or.jp

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Ancient temple with a famous waterfall and 88 stone statues, offering a glimpse into Japan's spiritual history.

What it is

• A temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect.
• Its origin dates back approximately 1300 years.
• Named after the Tenchō era.
• Emperor Murakami ordered its construction.

What to see

• The famous Meisui Uwari-no-Taki waterfall.
• Uwari-no-Taki waterfall is one of Japan's 100 Famous Waters.
• A Kannon-dō hall completed in 686 AD.
• A Hokke-dō hall built by Hōjō Masako.
• A statue of Batō Kannon carved by Taichō Daishi.
• 88 stone statues of the Shikoku 88 Sacred Places.

Address

福井県三方上中郡若狭町天徳寺38-3 Map

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Kūin-ji Temple is a historic Sōtō Zen temple with unique art and a sacred cave.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple.
• Its mountain name is Kenkōzan.
• Dedicated to the main deity Batō Kannon.
• Family temple of the Sakai family of the Obama Domain.

What to see

• A cave where Yao Bikuni entered nirvana.
• The cave is a sea cave.
• A Yakui-mon gate.
• The 'Shimen Jinja Shatō Fūzoku-zu' painting.
• The Sakai family cemetery, a designated historic site.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from JR West Obama Line's Obama Station.

Address

福井県小浜市小浜男山2 Map

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Isoku-ji Temple is a Soto Zen temple with an ancient Kannon statue, worth visiting for its history.

What it is

• A Soto Zen Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 805 by Shin'an Soron Daikoji.
• Its mountain name is Yutanisan.
• Principal image is the Eleven-faced Thousand-armed Kannon Bosatsu.

What to see

• A wooden standing statue of Senju Kannon.
• The statue is an Important Cultural Property.
• Statue is made of cypress wood from the Heian period.
• The statue is 109.0 cm tall.

Getting there

• 15-minute drive from JR Wakasa-Hongo Station.

Address

福井県大飯郡おおい町万願寺7-5 Map

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Hokke-ji is a historic temple in Sabae City, offering a glimpse into its resilient past.

What it is

• Hokke sect temple in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture.
• Founded in 1449 by Jitsunen Hoin.
• Moved to current location during Kanei era (1624-1643).
• Rebuilt in 1881 after a fire.

What to see

• Daimoku monument at the gate, written by Nichishu Shonin.
• Gardening cemetery with perpetual memorial services.

Getting there

• 7-minute taxi ride from JR Sabae Station.
• 2-minute walk from Fukui Railway Fukubu Line Mizuochi Station.

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Myōtsū-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple with National Treasure architecture, founded in 806.

What it is

• Buddhist temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism.
• Founded in 806 by Sakanoue Tamuramaro.
• Main deity is Yakushi Nyorai.
• Certified as a Japan Heritage site in 2015.

What to see

• Main Hall, completed in 1265, is a National Treasure.
• Three-story Pagoda, completed in 1270, is a National Treasure.
• Several Important Cultural Properties are on site.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Higashi-Obama Station.

Address

福井県小浜市門前5-22 Map

Official site

www.cho.ne.jp

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Gotanjō-ji Temple is a Sōtō Zen temple known for caring for many cats.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple.
• Known as a cat temple.
• Protects and cares for abandoned and sick cats.
• A designated training monastery.

What to see

• The principal image is Shaka Nyorai.
• A small hall built in 2002.
• The main hall and zazen hall completed in 2009.
• A large Buddha statue erected in 2019.
• Dozens of cats living on the grounds.

When to go

• Cat photography and viewing tours are accepted.

Address

福井県越前市庄田町32 Map

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A Jodo Shinshu temple founded in 1326 that served as a historic base for the Ikko-ikki warrior monks.

What it is

• A temple of the Otani school of Buddhism located in Awara City
• Founded in 1326 by Gyokaku and dedicated to the deity Amida Nyorai
• Served as a strategic base for the Ikko-ikki during the sixteenth century
• Rebuilt in its current location in 1765 after several historical relocations

What to see

• The main hall housing the primary deity Amida Nyorai
• Historical grounds reflecting the temple's reconstruction from 1765

Read more about Shōgon-ji Temple

Myōryū-ji Temple is a historic Nichiren Buddhist temple with ties to local samurai clans.

What it is

• A Nichiren Buddhist temple.
• Founded by Ben'ein Nichisō Shōnin.
• A bodaijo for the Mizoe and Togashi families.
• Became part of the Nichiren sect in 1941.

What to see

• The principal image is Shaka Nyorai.
• Near the site of Mizoe-yakata (Kanazu Castle).

When to go

• Mizoe-kō and Togashi-kō family memorial services are monthly.

Getting there

• Near Ashiharaonsen Station.

Address

福井県あわら市市姫2丁目7-25 Map

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Chōgen-ji Temple, founded in 1380, offers a glimpse into Nichiren Buddhism and cultural heritage.

What it is

• A Nichiren sect temple, founded in 1380.
• Founded by Anjuin Nichigen.
• One of the "Rokujo Monryu Sancho" temples.
• Served as a prayer temple for Wakasa domain lords.

What to see

• A Midaikannon image, a national important cultural property.
• The temple gate, an Obama City designated cultural property.
• Two sub-temples: Kozen-ji and Jogyo-ji.

Getting there

• A 5-minute walk from Obama Station.

Address

福井県小浜市小浜酒井8 Map

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Hagaji Temple: a historic Shingon temple with important statues and a Japan Heritage site.

What it is

• A Shingon sect temple.
• Founded in 716 by Gyoki.
• Principal image is the Eleven-faced Kannon.
• Designated a Japan Heritage site in 2015.

What to see

• Main hall, built in 1447, is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Wooden Eleven-faced Kannon statue from the early 10th century.
• Wooden Senju Kannon statue made in 1165.
• Wooden Bishamonten statue made in 1178.
• Hagaji Engi scroll, written by Prince Sanehito.

Address

〒917-0017 　福井県小浜市 羽賀８3−5 Map

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