20 Temples in Gifu worth your time

Onsenji Temple, dedicated to the Buddha of healing, offers town views and a hot spring source.

What it is

• Temple dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, Buddha of healing and medicine.
• Established to remember the legend of the white egret and hot spring.
• Founded after 1265, when hot springs revived.

What to see

• 173 stone steps leading to the temple.
• Views over Gero town from the temple grounds.
• Statue of Yakushi Nyorai near the main hall.
• Votive plaques (ema) from the Edo period.
• Pillars in the main hall with prayer markings.
• Iokaku pavilion, accessible during November festival.

When to go

• Autumn, for vibrant red and yellow leaves.
• November, for the seasonal color festival.
• Evenings in November, for illuminated maple trees.

Getting there

• Located near the center of Gero’s hot spring district.

Address

岐阜県下呂市湯之島680 Map

Official site

www.onsenji.jp

Read more about Onsen-ji Temple

A Soto Zen temple in Toki City housing 600 sacred sutra volumes and serving as a pilgrimage stop.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple formed in 1961 by merging two older local temples
• The temple enshrines the deities Yakushi Nyorai and Sho-kanzeon Bosatsu
• It serves as a designated station on the Chubu 49 Yakushi Pilgrimage
• The original founding dates of the merged temples trace back to 1613 and 1639

What to see

• The main hall and a traditional bell tower located on the temple grounds
• A collection of 600 volumes of the Great Wisdom Sutra kept on site
• The temple gate marking the entrance to the Togakusan mountain grounds

When to go

• March 24 for the annual Daihannya-e ceremony
• July 24 to witness the Mizuko Jizo Festival
• August 10 for the Dai-segaki-e ceremony

Read more about Shōfuku-ji Temple

A Soto Zen temple in Takayama housing ancient Buddhist statues and a robe once owned by Kobo Daishi.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple in Takayama dedicated to the deity Shakyamuni Nyorai.
• The 31st site on the Hida 33 Kannon Pilgrimage route.
• Restored in 1587 by Kanamori Nagachika and founding priest Rakuo Shuson.
• Originally established as a Shingon sect institution before its restoration.

What to see

• A statue of Ryomen Sukuna designated as a Takayama City cultural property.
• A sacred robe passed down from the famous monk Kobo Daishi.
• A Karura statue carved by the renowned sculptor Enku.
• The Eleven-faced Kannon statue and the Six Jizo Hall on the grounds.
• A stone where Ryomen Sukuna is reported to have eaten.
• A chest of drawers designated as a local cultural property.

Read more about Zenkyū-ji Temple

A Jodo-shu temple in Gifu City housing National Important Cultural Properties and a memorial for the Honno-ji Incident.

What it is

• A temple of the Jodo-shu Seizan Zenrinji school founded by Ekuu Zensan.
• The primary enshrined deity is Amida Nyorai.
• Oda Nobunaga moved the temple from Kiyosu to its current location in Gifu.
• It serves as a branch temple of Gifu Rissei-ji.

What to see

• A memorial dedicated to the victims of the Honno-ji Incident.
• The Tushita Heaven Mandala, designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
• A Nirvana painting dating back to the Kamakura period.
• The Taima Mandala, a designated cultural property of Gifu City.
• Historical portraits of members of the Ikeda clan.
• Official notices and protection documents provided by Ikeda Terumasa.

Read more about Seigan-ji Temple

A historic temple site featuring a reconstructed pagoda base and a National Important Cultural Property statue of Yakushi Nyorai.

What it is

• A temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect dedicated to the deity Yakushi Nyorai.
• Originally founded in 741 under the orders of Emperor Shomu.
• The current temple buildings were rebuilt in 1615 after a fire destroyed the original.
• The grounds are designated as a National Historic Site.

What to see

• A wooden Yakushi Nyorai statue designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
• The reconstructed base of a massive seven-story pagoda from the ancient temple.
• Ancient temple grounds that originally spanned 230 meters by 250 meters.
• Artifacts from the site displayed at the nearby Ogaki City Historical Museum.

Read more about Mino Kokubun-niji

A historic Soto Zen temple in Seki City featuring a 450-year-old protected ginkgo tree and a dedicated Inari shrine.

What it is

• A Soto school Zen Buddhist temple founded in 1528 by Adachi Shinbei.
• The main hall enshrines Shaka Nyorai as the primary deity.
• It serves as the 21st stop on the Chuno 88 Pilgrimage route.
• The temple moved to its current location in Oze during the year 1728.

What to see

• A massive 450-year-old ginkgo tree designated as a city natural monument.
• The Matsuo Inari shrine located to the west of the main hall.
• Traditional temple architecture belonging to the Matsuozan mountain name.

When to go

• Visit in June to witness the annual festival held for Matsuo Inari.

Read more about Eishō-ji Temple

Eihō-ji Temple: a historic Rinzai temple with two National Treasure buildings and a scenic garden.

What it is

• Rinzai sect temple in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture.
• Founded in 1313 by Musō Soseki and Gen'ō Hongen.
• Mountain name is Kokeizan.
• Houses the Kokeizan Senmon Dōjō training hall.

What to see

• Kannon-dō, built in 1314, is a National Treasure.
• Kannon-dō houses a seated statue of Shō Kannon Bosatsu.
• Kaisan-dō, built in 1352, is a National Treasure.
• Kaisan-dō enshrines images of Musō Soseki and Butoku Zenji.
• Temple garden is a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
• Several designated cultural properties are on site.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Tajimi Station.

Address

岐阜県多治見市虎渓山町1-40 Map

Official site

www.kokei.or.jp

Read more about Eihō-ji Temple

A Jodo Shinshu temple in Gifu featuring a historic gate that survived the 1891 Nobi earthquake and a renovated main hall.

What it is

• A temple of the Otani school of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism in Sakahogi Town.
• Founded in 1539 by Tahara Saemon as a Tendai sect temple.
• Converted to Jodo Shinshu under the leadership of the second head priest.
• The current lineage of head priests has continued for twenty-one generations.

What to see

• The original temple gate which survived the 1891 Nobi earthquake.
• A main hall and priest's quarters originally constructed in 1923.
• The main hall which underwent major renovations in 2001.

When to go

• The Hoonko ceremony is held annually on November 2nd and 3rd.

Read more about Gakusen-ji Temple

A historic Rinzai temple in Takayama featuring wood carvings by the monk Enku and serving as a pilgrimage stop.

What it is

• A Rinzai school temple founded in 1430 by Ema Tokinao.
• The 29th stop on the Hida 33 Kannon Pilgrimage dedicated to Shakyamuni Nyorai.
• A branch of Soyu-ji temple located in the Shin-Hirayu Onsen area.
• A facility that operates a public lodging house and serves as a volcanic evacuation shelter.

What to see

• The current main hall which dates back to 1834.
• Several wooden statues carved by the famous monk Enku during his stay.
• The Enku-an public lodging house located on the temple grounds.
• The Yakushi-do hall managed by the temple in central Hirayu Onsen.

Read more about Zentsū-ji Temple

A Gifu temple housing a historic Great Buddha statue dedicated to the life and legacy of merchant Nagata Sakichi.

What it is

• A temple in Hashima City dedicated to the deity Shaka Nyorai.
• Founded in 1759 by the merchant Nagata Sakichi to house a Great Buddha.
• Operates today as an independent religious institution following reconstruction in 1960.
• The site serves as a memorial honoring the life of its founder.

What to see

• The Sakichi Daibutsu statue which is a designated prefectural historical site.
• A Great Buddha Hall reconstructed in 1962 after earthquake damage.
• A Jizo hall on the grounds dating back to 1757.
• A historic stone lantern originally erected in 1748.

Read more about Daibutsu-ji

This Zen Buddhist temple offers Song China architecture, Sesshu's art, and a scenic Japanese garden.

What it is

• Temple of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.
• Founded in its current form in the sixteenth century.

What to see

• Temple structures in Song China architectural style.
• Daishoin room with Sesshu's Happo Nirami no Daruma ink painting.
• Other artwork, including paintings on sliding doors.
• Sixteenth-century Japanese garden, Banzaido.
• Pond shaped like the kanji for 'heart' or 'spirit'.
• 40-meter sugi tree, over 1,200 years old.

Getting there

• One stop from Gero Station on JR Takayama Main Line.
• 10-minute walk from Zenshoji Station.

Address

岐阜県下呂市萩原町中呂1089 Map

Read more about Zenshō-ji Temple

A Rinzai Zen temple in Gero City featuring a historic Shomen Kongo statue and a lineage dating back to 1249.

What it is

• A temple of the Myoshin-ji branch of Rinzai Zen dedicated to Shaka Nyorai.
• Founded by Genkai Hoin in 1249 and later restored by Koshuku Sosu in 1607.
• Formerly served as the administrative temple for the Mori Minashi Hachiman Shrine.
• The temple moved to its current location in Gero City during the Meiji era.

What to see

• A statue of Shomen Kongo that was brought to the site in 1189.
• Temple buildings originally established in the mid-thirteenth century.
• Religious architecture belonging to the Zuisenzan mountain name tradition.

Read more about Taishin-ji Temple

A historic Soto Zen temple in Takayama featuring multiple halls and serving as a stop on the Hida Kannon Pilgrimage.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple in Takayama dedicated to the Shakyamuni Buddha.
• The thirty-second stop on the Hida Thirty-three Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Restored in 1596 and currently serves as a branch temple of Sogen-ji.
• Founded originally as a Shingon sect temple before its revival by Kakuo Monetsu.

What to see

• The main hall and gate rebuilt during the Kyoho era.
• A dedicated Jizo hall located within the temple grounds.
• The Yakushi hall housing a statue of the Medicine Buddha.
• A Kannon hall situated on the temple premises.

Read more about Shōsō-ji temple

Gyokuryuji Temple offers history, art, and nature, including a unique kaya tree and autumn colors.

What it is

• Rinzai sect temple in Gero City, Gifu Prefecture.
• Principal image is Shaka Nyorai.
• First sacred site of the Masuda Saigoku Sanjusan Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Current buildings rebuilt in 1761.

What to see

• Many maple and enkianthus trees, earning it the name Momiji-dera.
• Graves of three generations of Hida Takayama domain lords.
• Grave of world traveler Kato Somo.
• Wooden seated statue of Shaka Nyorai, a cultural property.
• Several Gero City designated cultural properties.
• A left-coiling kaya tree, a natural monument.

Address

岐阜県下呂市金山町中切1545番地 Map

Read more about Gyokuryū-ji Temple

A Sōtō Zen temple in Shirakawa and the 46th site on the Chūbu 49 Yakushi Pilgrimage.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple also known by the mountain name Dairyūzan.
• The 46th site on the Chūbu 49 Yakushi Pilgrimage route.
• Founded as a hermitage in 1455 with buildings established in 1604.
• A branch temple of Kaigen-in reconstructed at its current site in 1958.

What to see

• Modern temple buildings completely reconstructed in April 1958.
• A statue of the founding priest Denshitsu Bonteki hidden during the Haibutsu Kishaku.
• The scenic grounds located along the banks of the Shirakawa River.

Read more about Tō'un-ji Temple

Ganko-ji Temple is a historic Tendai temple with important cultural properties and a unique festival.

What it is

• A Tendai sect Buddhist temple.
• Also known as Kani Yakushi and Kani Daiji.
• The 49th temple of the Chubu 49 Yakushi Pilgrimage.
• Main hall rebuilt in 1581.

What to see

• Main hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Bell tower gate built in 1670.
• Houses several Important Cultural Properties, including statues.
• Excavated old roof tiles from the Hakuho period.

When to go

• Mitake Yakushi Festival is held in April.
• Festival is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Address

岐阜県可児郡御嵩町御嵩1377-1 Map

Read more about Ganko-ji Temple (Mitake)

Keiho-ji is a historic Rinzai temple with unique statues and art, a stop on a pilgrimage.

What it is

• A Rinzai school Myoshin-ji sect temple.
• Founded as Keigetsuan in the Hiroan era.
• Established by Ema Tomokata and Muso Soseki.
• The 28th sacred site of the Hida 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• A Shokannon statue brought from India.
• A Koyasu Kannon statue by Takeuchi Umon.
• A dragon ink painting on the main hall ceiling.
• Several Enku Buddhas.

When to go

• September 3rd for the annual Shokannon statue display.
• September 3rd for the Hyakukannon Hotai Tesho-shiki ceremony.

Address

岐阜県高山市上宝町長倉588 Map

Read more about Keihō-ji Temple

Kannami-ji Temple is a historic pilgrimage site with important cultural properties and a scenic lake setting.

What it is

• A Rinzai sect Myoshin-ji school temple.
• The 13th site of the Mino Thirty-three Kannon Pilgrimage.
• The 65th site of the Mino Shikoku Eighty-eight Pilgrimage.
• Known for the worship of Bato Kannon.

What to see

• The principal image is an 1.8m tall Eleven-faced Senju Kannon.
• The main hall is a Yamagata City Important Cultural Property.
• The former Kannon-do is a Yamagata City Important Cultural Property.
• An Edo Higan cherry tree is a designated natural monument.
• Located on the shore of Ijira Lake.

Address

岐阜県山県市長滝27-11 Map

Read more about Kannami-ji Temple

Yokokura-ji Temple is a historic Tendai temple, home to a rare Sokushinbutsu and beautiful autumn leaves.

What it is

• A Tendai sect temple, founded as Ryokai-zan Yokokura-ji.
• Main image is Yakushi Nyorai.
• First temple of the Mino 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Rebuilt in the Edo period after a 1571 fire.

What to see

• Main hall, completed in 1671.
• Three-storied pagoda, completed in 1663.
• Many cultural properties, including Important Cultural Properties.
• A Sokushinbutsu (self-mummified Buddha) of Myoshin Hosshi.
• Known as "Mino's Shosoin."

When to go

• Famous spot for autumn leaves.

Address

日本 岐阜県揖斐郡揖斐川町谷汲神原1160 Map

Read more about Yokokura-ji Temple

Sokyu-ji is a historic Soto Zen temple with unique statues and pilgrimage significance.

What it is

• Sokyu-ji is a Soto Zen temple.
• Founded in 1616 by Suzuki Shuma Nyudo Sokyu.
• Principal image is Kannon Bosatsu.
• Part of two Kannon and Yakushi pilgrimage routes.

What to see

• Statue of Yakushi Nyorai, called 'Hadaka Yakushi Nyorai'.
• Enmei Jizo Bosatsu, also known as 'Mizukake Jizo'.
• Six-character name written by Rennyo in 1471 is a cultural property.

When to go

• Major festival held annually on April 24th.
• Monthly festivals are held on the 24th of each month.

Address

岐阜県恵那市東野1282 Map

Read more about Sōkyū-ji Temple