20 Temples in Hiroshima worth your time

A historic Ji sect Buddhist temple in Onomichi featuring the oldest existing structures of its kind and a crying dragon ceiling.

What it is

• A Buddhist temple belonging to the Ji sect located in Onomichi.
• Founded between 1332 and 1333 by the monk Taa Icchin.
• The main hall and gate are designated as National Important Cultural Properties.
• The structures are recognized as the oldest existing buildings of the Ji sect.

What to see

• The main hall which was originally constructed in 1353.
• A mountain gate dating back to the Joji era.
• A crying dragon painting located on the ceiling of the main hall.
• Historic architecture that is part of the Japan Heritage designation.

Getting there

• Take a bus from Onomichi Station to the Bojiguchi bus stop.
• The temple is a five minute walk from the Bojiguchi bus stop.

Read more about Saigō-ji Temple

This mountain temple offers ancient statues and beautiful autumn leaves or spring cherry blossoms.

What it is

• Temple in the mountains overlooking Hiroshima.
• Officially founded in the ninth century.
• Traces its history back to the Nara period (710–794).
• Dedicated to Kannon, bodhisattva of compassion.

What to see

• Hundreds of stone Buddha statues, some from Kamakura period.
• Many boat-shaped Buddha statues, 88 dedicated to Shikoku temples.
• Eclectic array of 10 wooden buildings.
• Main hall dedicated to Kannon, rebuilt in 1968.
• Ancient stone altar carved into the rock face.

When to go

• Popular in autumn for red leaves.
• Popular in spring during cherry blossom season.
• Open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
• Closes at 5 p.m. in winter.

Address

広島市西区三滝山411 Map

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Ryuge-ji Temple is a historic Shingon Buddhist temple founded by Kukai, offering important cultural properties.

What it is

• Special head temple of the Shingon-shu Daigo-ha sect.
• Founded by Kukai, a prominent Buddhist monk.
• Flourished as a mandokoro temple in the Kamakura period.
• 29th fudasho of the Setouchi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• Wooden Eleven-faced Kannon statue, a National Important Cultural Property.
• Ima Koya-san Somon, a Prefectural Designated Cultural Property.
• Awashima Shrine Torii, a Prefectural Designated Cultural Property.
• Kekkai-seki, a Prefectural Designated Cultural Property.
• Two remaining sub-temples: Anraku-in and Fukuchi-in.

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This modern cathedral commemorates war victims and promotes peace, featuring a unique blend of Japanese and Western design.

What it is

• Memorial Cathedral for World Peace, completed 1954.
• Designated Important Cultural Property.
• Venue for people of all beliefs to pray for world peace.
• Place of worship for Catholics.

What to see

• Modern architecture with Japanese symbolism and Western elements.
• Japanese-inspired bridge outside.
• Tall wooden gate, inspired by Shinto torii gates.
• Phoenix on the roof instead of a cross.
• Lamps shaped like lotus flowers inside.
• Windows with bamboo, pine, and ume plum motifs.

When to go

• Completed on August 6.

Read more about Assumption of Mary Cathedral, Hiroshima

Sanshoji Temple is a historic Jodo sect temple with important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Jodo sect Buddhist temple.
• Founded between 1532 and 1555.
• Matsuo Nagato-no-kami Sansho founded it.
• Moved to its current site between 1596 and 1615.

What to see

• Main image is Amida Nyorai.
• Bronze bell is a prefectural cultural property.
• Bell is 87.5 cm tall, 49.5 cm in diameter.
• Bell has inscriptions from 1376 and 1487.
• Shaka Nyorai seated statue is a temple treasure.
• Statue dates from late Kamakura to early Muromachi period.

Getting there

• 10 minutes by bus from Miyoshi Station.

Address

広島県三次市三次町1157 Map

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This Buddhist temple, dedicated to Benzaiten, is worth visiting for its historical connection to Itsukushima Shrine.

What it is

• Shingon Buddhist temple dedicated to Benzaiten.
• Goddess of music, wisdom, and wealth.
• Has a shared history with Itsukushima Shrine.
• Founded at least 800 years ago.

What to see

• Main Gate (sanmon).
• Main Hall (hondo).
• Recently rebuilt Gomado Hall.
• Large pine tree with nine branching trunks.
• Pine tree planted by Japan's first prime minister.

When to go

• Annual festival is held on June 17.

Getting there

• Located right beside the exit of Itsukushima Shrine.

Address

広島県廿日市市宮島町3 Map

Read more about Daigan-ji Temple

Innoshima's oldest temple, Konren-ji offers Murakami clan history and unique pagodas.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple, mountain name Saikyozan.
• Innoshima island's oldest temple.
• Rebuilt in 1449 as a Rinzai Zen temple.
• Became the Murakami Suigun family temple in 1577.

What to see

• The main image is Yakushi Nyorai.
• Innoshima Suigun Castle is on the temple grounds.
• Murakami clan historical materials are owned by the temple.
• Innoshima Murakami Family Graves are a city historic site.
• Graves include 18 Hōkyōintō and many Gorintō pagodas.
• A city-designated natural monument Mokkoku tree.

Address

広島県尾道市因島中庄町3225 Map

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Hōgen-ji Temple is a 17th-century family temple with samurai connections and a unique garden.

What it is

• Founded in 1633 by Asano Nagaharu, first lord of Miyoshi Domain.
• It is the Asano family's family temple.
• Belongs to the Rinzai sect Myoshin-ji school.
• The principal image is Yakushi Nyorai.

What to see

• Main hall plaque is Asano Nagaharu's autograph.
• Weeping cherry tree planted by Oishi Yoshio.
• Gishido hall enshrines wooden statues of Akō rōnin.
• Yōzen-in's hair is enshrined in a tower.
• Statue of Asano Nagaharu erected in 1999.
• Gukyokusen is a garden behind the main hall.

Address

広島県三次市三次町1057 Map

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Hōsen-ji Temple is a historic Nichiren Buddhist temple founded in 1358, known for its cultural artifacts.

What it is

• A Nichiren Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1358 during the Nanboku-chō period.
• Daikaku Sōjō is considered the founder.
• Its sango is Daikakuzan.

What to see

• The Kiyomasa Kōdō, built in the late Edo period.
• A Seven-faced Great Deity statue.
• A Kiyomasa Kō Daishin seated statue.
• The Tengai-matsu, a national natural monument.

When to go

• Open from 8 AM to 4 PM.

Getting there

• Take a Tomotetsu bus from Fukuyama Station.

Address

広島県福山市鞆町後地1194-3 Map

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Kōsan-ji Temple is a unique modern temple built to honor a mother, with impressive architecture and art.

What it is

• Jōdo Shinshū Honganji-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded by Kinemoto Kozo, construction began in 1936.
• Built to mourn his mother.
• Also known as 'Nishi no Nikkō' and 'Haha no Tera'.

What to see

• Temple buildings imitate ancient Japanese architecture.
• Fifteen structures are National Tangible Cultural Properties.
• Main hall imitates the Byōdō-in Hōōdō.
• Many artworks and cultural properties.
• Kōsan-ji Museum opened in 1953.
• 350-meter underground spiritual site.

Address

〒722-2411 広島県尾道市瀬戸田町瀬戸田553-2 Map

Official site

www.kousanji.or.jp

Read more about Kōsan-ji Temple

Jodoji Temple offers valuable historical buildings, including two National Treasures, with views over Onomichi.

What it is

• Jodoji Temple, founded in 616 by Prince Shotoku.
• A collection of valuable historical buildings.

What to see

• Hondo (main hall), rebuilt in 1327, a National Treasure.
• Hondo shows Heian period and Chinese architectural styles.
• Tahoto (many-jeweled pagoda), built in 1329, a National Treasure.
• Sanmon (front gate), an Important Cultural Property.
• Rotekian (tea house), an Important Cultural Property.
• Amidado (Amida Buddha hall), an Important Cultural Property.

Address

広島県尾道市東久保町20-28 Map

Official site

ermjp.com

Read more about Jōdo-ji Temple

This temple's bell tower, closest wooden structure to ground zero, survived the A-bomb blast.

What it is

• Buddhist temple near the A-bomb hypocenter.
• Bell tower is the closest wooden structure to survive the blast.
• New bell unveiled in 1949, known as the Peace Bell.

What to see

• Bell tower, rebuilt after severe damage.
• Peace Bell, cast with sand from near the hypocenter.
• Inscription "No More Hiroshimas" on the Peace Bell.
• Relief of Buddhist deity Kannon on the Peace Bell.

When to go

• Daily at 8:15 a.m. to hear the Peace Bell struck.

Address

広島市南区比治山町7-10 Map

Read more about Tamon-in Temple

Bandai-ji Temple, or Abuto Kannon, offers historic halls and cliffside views of the Seto Inland Sea.

What it is

• Rinzai sect Myoshin-ji school temple.
• Also known as Abuto Kannon.
• 24th temple of the Setouchi 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
• 4th temple of the Bingo Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• Kannon-do hall on a cliff at Abuto Cape.
• Kannon-do hall built by Mori Terumoto in 1570.
• Kannon-do hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Main deity is an Eleven-faced Kannon.
• Guest hall built in 1738.
• Guest hall is a Prefectural Important Cultural Property.

Address

広島県福山市沼隈町能登原阿伏兎1427-1 Map

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Aki Kokubun-ji Temple is a historic Shingon temple with significant ancient ruins.

What it is

• A Shingon Omuro school temple.
• Its principal image is Yakushi Nyorai.
• Successor to the Aki Province Kokubun-soji.
• Ancient Kokubun-ji temple ruins overlap the grounds.

What to see

• The 16th-century Nio-mon gate.
• Goma-do hall from the late Edo period.
• Two Yakushi Nyorai statues are cultural properties.
• Aki Kokubun-ji ruins are a National Historic Site.
• Excavated artifacts are Important Cultural Properties.
• Japan's first confirmed Kokushi-in site.

Read more about Aki Kokubun-ji Temple

Ancient temple with unique stone statues, easily accessible for a quick, enriching visit.

What it is

• Shingon-shu Daigo-ha temple, founded in the early Heian period.
• Also known as Beiruzan Tenjinbo Taisan-ji.
• Connected to historical figure Sugawara no Michizane.
• Renovated in the year 1606.

What to see

• Misode Tenmangu shrine stands on its grounds.
• Three monkey stone statues are on the temple grounds.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Nagae-guchi bus stop.
• 5-minute walk from Senkoji-yama Ropeway Sanroku Station.

Address

尾道市長江1-11-11 Map

Read more about Taisan-ji Temple

Daishoin Temple features prayer wheels, offering blessings to those who spin them.

What it is

• Temple belonging to the Shingon school of Buddhism.
• Features prayer wheels, also called maniguruma.

What to see

• Dozens of cylindrical metal prayer wheels.
• Prayer wheels inscribed with characters from the Heart Sutra.
• Prayer wheels on staircases, including in front of Maniden Hall.
• Kannondo Hall for more on connection to Tibetan Buddhism.

When to go

• Spinning prayer wheel gives same blessings as reciting sutra.

Address

広島県廿日市市宮島町210 Map

Official site

daisho-in.com

Read more about Daishō-in Temple

Senkyō-ji Temple is a historic Jōdo Shinshū temple, rebuilt across generations, offering a glimpse into its enduring legacy.

What it is

• A temple of the Jōdo Shinshū Honganji-ha sect.
• Founded in Tenbun 2 by Senjumaru, son of Kōkyō Yoshikawa.
• The current chief priest is the 17th generation, Shōjun Yoshikawa.

What to see

• The main hall, rebuilt in Genbun 5 by the 7th chief priest.
• The main hall, rebuilt again by the 16th chief priest.
• The main hall's outer chamber, repaired by the 17th chief priest.
• The guest hall, built by the 17th chief priest.

Address

広島県呉市音戸町田原2丁目60-3 Map

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Kōmyō-ji Temple: a historic Jōdo-shū temple with important statues and a sumo legend's grave.

What it is

• Jōdo-shū Seizan Zenrin-ji temple.
• Founded by Ennin during the Jōwa era.
• Converted from Tendai-shū to Jōdo-shū.
• Its sangō is Shōjōzan.

What to see

• Late Heian period wooden standing statue of Senju Kannon.
• Statue is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Grave of sumo wrestler Jinmaku Kyūgorō.
• Stone monument of Jinmaku Kyūgorō's handprint.
• Several Hiroshima Prefecture Important Cultural Properties.

Address

広島県尾道市東土堂町2-8 Map

Official site

www.onomichi-komyoji.com

Read more about Kōmyō-ji Temple

Seishin-ji Temple, founded in 1219, offers important cultural statues and a glimpse into history.

What it is

• A temple of the Rinzai sect Myoshin-ji school.
• Founded in 1219 for Tenso Myobutsu's repose.
• Suffered a fire during the Edo period.
• Temporarily abolished during Haibutsu Kishaku.

What to see

• Thirteen wooden statues of the Twenty-Eight Bushu.
• These statues are Hiroshima Prefecture Important Cultural Properties.
• A wooden statue of Senju Daihi Kannon Bosatsu.
• This statue is a Mihara City Important Cultural Property.

Address

広島県三原市大和町平板2033番地 Map

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Fukuzen-ji Temple is a historic Jodo Shinshu temple with unique art and a famous pine tree.

What it is

• A Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded in July 1573 by Gyoei Hoin.
• Shinran Shonin gave it the name Fukuzen-ji.
• Moved to its current site in 1630.

What to see

• Main gate with a crane crest and dragon carvings.
• The 'Washi no Matsu' pine tree, a city natural monument.
• Bijinga paintings by Hirata Gyokuon.
• Fusuma-e 'Sesshu Shochikubai' inside the main hall.
• A stone gorinto, a city cultural property.

Address

広島県尾道市長江1丁目9-1 Map

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