20 Temples in Fukushima worth your time

Shōfuku-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple housing important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Buddhist temple of the Shingon-shu Buzan-ha sect.
• Its mountain name is Matsushimayama.
• The 6th temple of the Aizu Thirty-three Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Dedicated to the Eleven-faced Kannon.

What to see

• Kannon-do hall, completed in 1558, is an Important Cultural Property.
• Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva statue is the principal image.
• Wooden Fudo Myoo statue is a Prefectural Important Cultural Property.
• Wooden Bishamonten statue is a Prefectural Important Cultural Property.
• Bronze bell is a Prefectural Important Cultural Property.

Getting there

• Take an Aizu Bus from Kitakata Station.

Address

福島県喜多方市関柴町三津井字堂ノ上630 Map

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A Soto Zen temple in Fukushima featuring a historic gate from a local magistrate office and unique Buddhist sculptures.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple founded in 1546 by Sennou Hoin.
• The temple is dedicated to a wooden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha.
• The site formerly served as the location for the Asakawa School in 1873.
• The current main hall was reconstructed in 1924 following a fire.

What to see

• A temple gate relocated from the Asakawa Jinya magistrate office in 1870.
• A wooden Fudo Myoo statue carved by the artist Komatsu Torakichi.
• A stone tablet dating back to 1329 designated as a cultural property.
• A monument dedicated to the pathologist Tomizo Yoshida on the grounds.
• A temple bell that was recast in 1952.

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Hakusanji Temple: ancient Tendai temple, founded 723, known for hydrangeas and historic pine avenue.

What it is

• Tendai sect temple, also called Kojisan Hakusanji or Tofukuji.
• Founded by Gyoki in 723.
• Kannon-do hall was a prayer place for the Nikaido clan.

What to see

• Pine avenue is a Fukushima Prefecture designated natural monument.
• Pine trees are 200 to 300 years old.
• About 6,000 hydrangea plants of 30 varieties.
• Kojisan Jihouraku is a designated intangible folk cultural property.

When to go

• Known for its hydrangeas.
• Kojisan Hydrangea Festival is held annually in July.

Getting there

• 25-minute drive from Sukagawa Interchange.

Address

福島県須賀川市大字上小山田字古寺58 Map

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Kōshō-ji Temple: a historic Tendai temple with a unique 18th-century hall.

What it is

• A temple of the Tendai Buddhist sect.
• Known for its Nenbutsudō hall.
• Nenbutsudō hall construction began in 1741.
• Nenbutsudō hall was completed in 1772.

What to see

• The Nenbutsudō hall, a designated cultural property.
• The Nenbutsudō hall has a hip roof and front entrance.
• Thirty dragon carvings adorn the Nenbutsudō hall.
• Twelve zodiac hanging scrolls are displayed.

When to go

• Nirvana Day is held in February.
• Hanamatsuri is held in April.

Getting there

• 25-minute walk from Yatagawa Station.

Address

福島県郡山市田村町細田字宿65 Map

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Takeyakannon Temple is a historic Soto Zen temple with important statues, worth visiting for its cultural heritage.

What it is

• Soto Zen temple in Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture.
• Known as Takeyakannon, 8th of Aizu 33 Kannon pilgrimage sites.
• Founded as Myohosan Myorenji Temple in 1573.
• Moved to current location and renamed Daiunzan Kannonji in 1651.

What to see

• Main deity is a seated statue of Shaka Nyorai.
• Wooden seated Nyoirin Kannon statue is a cultural property.
• Nyoirin Kannon statue is 87.5 cm tall, made of cypress wood.
• Wooden seated Shaka Nyorai statue is 36.4 cm tall.
• Fudo Myoo standing statue was erected in 1901.
• Current main hall was rebuilt in 1960.

Address

福島県喜多方市塩川町中屋沢 Map

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Shōjō-ji Temple is a historic Shingon temple housing ancient Buddhist statues and a National Treasure.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Buzan-ha temple, also called Aizu Chuo Yakushido.
• Founded by Tokuitsu during the Konin era (810-824).
• Main image is Yakushi Nyorai.

What to see

• The current Yakushido hall, rebuilt in the early Muromachi period.
• Yakushido hall is an Important Cultural Property.
• Over 30 Buddhist statues are housed here.
• Twelve Buddhist statues date back to the early 9th century.
• Wooden statue of Yakushi Nyorai and two attendants is a National Treasure.

When to go

• Nenbutsu Odori festival is held annually on April 28.

Address

福島県河沼郡湯川村勝常代舞1764 Map

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Nyohō-ji Temple: ancient Buddhist site with unique cultural properties, worth visiting for history buffs.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Buzan-ha temple.
• Mountain name is Takao-zan.
• Began in 807 with a Kannon-do hall.

What to see

• Many old stone monuments.
• Two stone stupas are national Important Cultural Properties.
• A grave is a Prefectural Historic Site.
• A bronze bell called 'Ibonashi Kane'.
• A stone stupa is a City Important Tangible Cultural Property.
• A Kirishitan tombstone is a City Important Tangible Cultural Property.

When to go

• Festival from January 6th to 7th.
• Setsubun-e bean scattering event on February 3rd.

Address

福島県郡山市堂前町4-24 Map

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Enzoji Temple is a historic Rinzai Buddhist temple, home to one of Japan's Three Kokuzo.

What it is

• A Rinzai sect Myoshinji school temple.
• Its mountain name is Reiganzan.
• The principal image is Kokuzo Bosatsu.
• Counted as one of Japan's Three Kokuzo.

What to see

• The Kokuzodo, known as Yanaizu Kokuzo.
• The Okunoin Bentendo, built in the Muromachi period.
• Okunoin Bentendo is an Important Cultural Property.

When to go

• Nanokado Hadakamairi is held annually on January 7.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Aizu-Yanaizu Station.
• Aizu-Yanaizu Station is on the JR Tadami Line.

Address

福島県河沼郡柳津町柳津字寺家町甲176 Map

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Kenshoji Temple, founded in 807, is a historic temple with a unique marsh and cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha temple in Iwaki City.
• Founded in 807 by Tokuitsu.
• Also known as Numanouchi Benzaiten or Kensho Benzaiten.
• Protected by the Iwakitaira domain during the Edo period.

What to see

• A hall dedicated to Benzaiten.
• Main hall and temple gate renovated in the Edo period.
• Temple gate has carvings by Hidari Jingoro.
• Temple gate is a city-designated important cultural property.
• Kensho-numa is an oval-shaped marsh, 200m long.
• Marsh is a nationally designated natural monument for eel habitat.

Address

福島県いわき市平沼之内字代ノ下104 Map

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Kōan-ji Temple is a historic Zen temple with important cultural properties, worth visiting for its ancient statues.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple.
• Established in 1279.
• A prayer place for successive Aizu lords.
• One of the Aizu Korori San Kannon temples.

What to see

• The Kannon-dō hall, also called Nakada Kannon.
• An Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva, cast in 1274.
• Main image and two attendant figures are Important Cultural Properties.
• The old Kannon-dō Zushi is an Important Cultural Property.

Getting there

• Near Negishi Station on the Tadami Line.
• Parking is available for 20 vehicles.

Address

福島県大沼郡会津美里町米田字堂ノ後甲147 Map

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Jōsen-ji Temple is a historic Sōtō Zen temple with important Buddhist statues.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple.
• Its mountain name is Seikōzan.
• Principal image is Amitābha Tathāgata.
• Converted to Sōtō sect in Muromachi period.

What to see

• Wooden seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai (National Important Cultural Property).
• Several bodhisattva statues (Fukushima Prefecture Important Cultural Properties).
• Five wooden standing statues of the Twelve Heavenly Generals (town cultural properties).
• Wooden standing statue of Amitābha Tathāgata (town Important Cultural Property).

Address

福島県河沼郡会津坂下町大字青津71 Map

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Visit this Soto Zen temple to see historic halls and experience a local festival.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple in Kitakata City, Fukushima Prefecture.
• Its mountain name is Fukushuzan.
• Re-established in 1610 by Koshoteru Zenji Reigan-taku Daiojo.
• A branch temple of Jigen-ji Temple in Atsushio.

What to see

• Kannon-do Hall, also known as Tota Kannon.
• Yakushi-do Hall.
• Kannon-do is the 9th of the Aizu 33 Kannon pilgrimage sites.
• Main hall, renovated in 1805.
• Kuri (monks' living quarters), renovated in 1805.

When to go

• Festival on July 9th (old calendar).

Address

福島県喜多方市塩川町大字遠田字谷地中3227 Map

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Amida-ji is a historic Shingon Buddhist temple with a notable bronze bell.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu muroji-ha Buddhist temple.
• Its formal name is Muryozan Komyo-in Amida-ji.
• Re-established in 1574 by the Imaizumi family.

What to see

• A bronze bell made in 1717.
• The bell was designated a significant art object.
• The bell is a Koriyama City Important Cultural Property.

When to go

• February for the Bishamonten Taisai festival.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from the Tomiyama bus stop.
• 20-minute walk from JR Koriyama Station.

Address

郡山市富久山町久保田字久保田52 Map

Official site

www.koriyama-amidaji.jp

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Nakano Fudoson is a Soto Zen temple, one of Japan's Three Great Fudoson, worth visiting for its unique caves.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple, formally Nakano-san Taishoji.
• A direct branch temple of Eiheiji in Fukui Prefecture.
• One of Japan's Three Great Fudoson.
• Birthplace of Rokusan-yoke prayers in Japan.

What to see

• The main hall, Taishoji, built in 1903.
• Three Fudo Myoo deities are enshrined.
• Seven unique caves are on the grounds.
• A main hall and a prayer hall.

When to go

• Most visited temple in Fukushima Prefecture.
• Most New Year's visitors among Fukushima City temples.

Address

福島県福島市飯坂町中野字堰坂28 Map

Official site

nakanofudouson.jp

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Hōyō-ji Temple is a historic Tendai temple with ancient statues and a notable pagoda.

What it is

• Tendai sect temple, mountain name Raiden-zan.
• Founded in 720 by Tokudō.
• Rebuilt by Tokuitsu, prayer temple for Emperor Saga.
• Principal image is the Eleven-faced Kannon.

What to see

• Main hall's zushi and Buddhist altar, built in 1314.
• Two wooden Kongōrikishi statues from the Heian period.
• Three-storied pagoda, Fukushima Important Cultural Property.
• Two wooden Eleven-faced Kannon statues, Japan Heritage components.
• Tora-no-o-zakura cherry tree, one of Aizu's Five Cherry Trees.

Address

福島県大沼郡会津美里町雀林字三番山下3554 Map

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Nyohōji is an ancient temple with important cultural properties and a unique Kōyamaki tree.

What it is

• Shingon-shu muroji-ha temple, founded in 807 by Tokuitsu.
• Dedicated to Shō Kannon Bosatsu, known as Tori-oi Kannon.
• One of the Aizu Korori San Kannon temples.

What to see

• Kannon-dō and Niōmon are important cultural properties.
• Wooden standing statue of Shō Kannon is a cultural property.
• Wooden standing statue of Fudō Myōō is a cultural property.
• Kōyamaki tree is a designated natural monument.

Getting there

• About 2.5 km south of Nozawa Station.

Address

福島県耶麻郡西会津町野沢字如法寺乙3533 Map

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Jorin-ji is a Soto Zen temple housing important cultural properties and a beautiful cherry tree.

What it is

• A Soto Zen Buddhist temple.
• Founded in Komaita, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture.

What to see

• Suigetsu Kannon statue, 92.5 cm tall.
• Wooden Kannon Bosatsu Hanka statue, Important Cultural Property.
• Seven old ema, Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property.
• Beautiful 100-year-old weeping cherry tree.
• Main hall and a bell tower.

Getting there

• 20-minute drive from Ban-etsu Expressway Koriyama-Higashi IC.
• 10-minute drive from Miharu Takizakura.

Address

福島県郡山市中田町駒板字表71 Map

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Hachiyō-ji Temple: a historic Shingon temple with important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shingon sect temple in Aizuwakamatsu City.
• Also known as Aizu Sōbodaijo and Aizu Kōyasan.
• Origin dates back to 964 with a hall's establishment.

What to see

• The Amida-do, rebuilt between 1592 and 1596.
• Juo-do, Kuya-do, and Oku-no-in structures.
• Niomon gate, Kuya Shimizu spring, and a bell tower.
• Amida-do is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.
• 14,824 small stupas and ossuaries are Important Folk Cultural Properties.
• The Kan'o Monument from 1353.

Address

福島県会津若松市河東町広野字冬木沢208番地 Map

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Kannon-ji Temple, founded in 830, offers a unique cliffside hall and a headless Kannon legend.

What it is

• Rinzai sect Myoshin-ji school temple.
• Established in 830 by Tokuichi.
• 21st sacred site of Aizu Thirty-three Kannon.
• Certified as a Japan Heritage cultural property in 2016.

What to see

• Kannon-do hall enshrines Shokannon.
• Kannon-do hall is a kakezukuri structure on a rock face.
• Wooden three-story pavilion, 9m square, 14.5m high.
• Hear the story of a headless Kannon stone statue.

Getting there

• Requires walking 20 minutes on a mountain path.

Address

福島県大沼郡会津美里町大石字東左下り1173 Map

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Eryuu-ji Temple is a historic temple housing one of Japan's largest Kannon statues.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Buzan-ha Buddhist temple.
• Its mountain name is Kintozan.
• Dedicated to Eleven-faced Thousand-armed Kannon Bodhisattva.
• Also known as Tachiki Kannon.

What to see

• The Kannon-do hall, rebuilt in 1617.
• Kannon-do hall has a hip-and-gable thatched roof.
• A 7.4m tall wooden Eleven-faced Thousand-armed Kannon statue.
• The Kannon statue is one of Japan's largest single-wood statues.
• Former Igarashi Family Residence, a National Important Cultural Property.

Address

福島県河沼郡会津坂下町大字塔寺字松原2944 Map

Official site

tachikikannon.jp

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