20 Temples in Hyōgo worth your time

This historic temple on Mt. Shosha offers many buildings and monuments, and is a pilgrimage site.

What it is

• Temple founded in 966 by monk Shōkū.
• Comprises dozens of historic buildings, monuments, and grave sites.
• Main temple and six subtemples cover over 31 hectares.
• Received patronage from aristocrats, imperial family, warriors, and commoners.

What to see

• Maniden Hall, rebuilt several times, retains symbolic significance.
• Daikōdō, Jōgyōdō, and Jikidō halls form a U-shape around a courtyard.
• Representations of Shakyamuni and two attendants in Daikōdō, carved in 987.
• Kaisandō and Fudōdō Halls, built in 1673 and 1697.
• Twin Gohōdō Shrines, enshrining deities Ototen and Wakaten.
• Niōmon Gate, a symbolic divide between secular and sacred.

Getting there

• Located on Mt. Shosha in central Hyogo Prefecture.
• Access via ropeway established in 1958.
• Enter temple grounds through Niōmon Gate after ropeway.

Address

〒671-2201 兵庫県姫路市書写2968 Map

Official site

www.shosha.or.jp

Read more about Engyō-ji Temple

A historic Shingon sect temple founded in 720, famous for its seasonal flowers and status as a pilgrimage site.

What it is

• A Koyasan Shingon sect temple dedicated to the deity Dainichi Nyorai.
• Founded by the monk Gyoki in the year 720.
• The fifth site on the Kansai Flower Temple Pilgrimage.
• Relocated to its current site in Yabu in 1819.

What to see

• The main hall and a traditional bell tower on the grounds.
• A statue of Kobo Daishi standing on the temple premises.
• Magnolias blooming in spring and bush clover blooming in autumn.
• Seasonal flowers that mark its place on the regional pilgrimage route.

When to go

• May 8th for the annual Flower Festival.
• August 15th for the memorial service for the war dead.
• Springtime to see the magnolia trees in bloom.
• Autumn to view the flowering bush clover.

Getting there

• Accessible via a bus departing from Yoka Station.

Read more about Kōshō-ji Temple

A historic Tendai Buddhist temple in Fukusaki featuring a scenic garden and a unique eight-meter-long Nirvana Buddha statue.

What it is

• A Tendai Buddhist temple founded by Hodo Sennin between 650 and 654.
• The eighth site on the Kansai Flower Temple pilgrimage dedicated to Sho-kannon.
• Known as the Temple of Sal Trees with a garden designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty.
• The main hall was rebuilt in 1868 and underwent renovation in 1924.

What to see

• An eight-meter-long Nirvana Buddha statue crafted from stone and hedges.
• A bronze Buddha statue dating back to the 7th century.
• A historic main hall rebuilt by Akamatsu Norisuke in 1351.
• Scenic garden landscapes recognized for their beauty in Hyogo Prefecture.

When to go

• The Sal Festival takes place from mid-June to early July.

Getting there

• The temple is an eight-minute taxi ride from Fukusaki Station.

Read more about Ōshō-ji Temple

This National Historic Site features ancient temple ruins and a relocated Himeji Castle building within a public park.

What it is

• A Shingon Buddhist temple established following Emperor Shomu's 741 edict.
• The site is a designated National Historic Site located on the Ichikawa River terrace.
• A historic park called Furusato Rekishi no Hiroba now occupies the temple grounds.
• Toyotomi Hideyoshi donated land to this religious site in 1587.

What to see

• Excavated ruins of a pagoda and main hall with a layout similar to Todai-ji.
• The current main hall which was moved from the grounds of Himeji Castle.
• A stone pagoda from the Muromachi period designated as a prefectural cultural property.
• Nunnery ruins located approximately 600 meters north of the main temple site.

Getting there

• The temple is a seven-minute walk from JR Gochaku Station.

Read more about Harima Kokubun-niji

A Shingon Buddhist temple in Awaji City serving as the head of the island's Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage.

What it is

• A Koyasan Shingon Buddhist temple founded by Shinryo Hosshi during the Oei era
• The primary deity enshrined at this location is Amida Nyorai
• The head temple for the Awaji Island Seven Lucky Gods circuit
• The 64th stop on the Awaji Shikoku 88 pilgrimage route

What to see

• A wooden Daikokuten statue standing over two meters tall
• The Yugi Shichifuku Pagoda which was completed in late 1999
• The main hall which was rebuilt in September 1989
• A pilgrimage path containing sand from the Shikoku 88 temples
• Enjo-ji temple which serves as the inner sanctuary for this site

When to go

• The temple is the origin site of the Mawari Benten festival

Read more about Hachijo-ji Temple

A resilient Rinzai Zen temple in Kobe featuring a historic shrine dedicated to the protector of a former island.

What it is

• A Rinzai Nanzen-ji sect Buddhist temple founded by Zen master Kinko Shobun in 1346.
• The grounds house a shrine dedicated to Benzaiten, known as the Wave-Repelling Benzaiten.
• Taira no Kiyomori built the original shrine to protect the historic Kyogashima island.
• The current structures are reconstructions completed in 2003 following the Great Hanshin Earthquake.

What to see

• The Wave-Repelling Benzaiten shrine located within the temple grounds.
• Modern temple buildings restored after the total destruction caused by the 1995 earthquake.

Getting there

• A twelve-minute walk from JR Kobe Station.
• A twelve-minute walk from JR Hyogo Station.

Read more about Erin-ji Temple

A Shingon sect temple in Akashi known as the Peony Temple, featuring a massive garden with fifty flower species.

What it is

• A Koyasan Shingon sect temple founded by the monk Gyoki.
• The seventh station on the Akashi Saigoku Pilgrimage route.
• Commonly known as Botan-dera due to its extensive peony gardens.
• The main hall enshrines the deities Yakushi Nyorai and Kobo Daishi.

What to see

• A two thousand square meter garden containing fifty species of peonies.
• The Sazuke Jizo statue which was erected in 1973.
• Traditional artworks housed on-site by the painter Ishida Yutei.
• The Seireizan mountain setting and the historic main hall architecture.

Getting there

• A ten-minute walk from Sanyo Uozumi Station.
• A twenty-minute walk from JR Uozumi Station.

Read more about Yakushi-in Temple

A National Historic Site featuring ancient temple ruins, a historic statue, and a museum displaying rare Nara-period wooden tablets.

What it is

• A Jodo sect Buddhist temple originally commissioned by Emperor Shomu during the Nara period.
• The site was designated as a National Historic Site in 1990.
• The original grounds once spanned a square area of approximately 160 meters.
• A nunnery site is located about one kilometer north of the main temple grounds.

What to see

• The archaeological remains of a former seven-story pagoda.
• A Shaka Nyorai statue brought to the site from Kyoto in 1759.
• Artifacts and excavated wooden tablets displayed at the Toyooka City Historical Museum.

Getting there

• The site is a five-minute walk from JR Ebara Station.

Read more about Tajima Kokubun-niji

Ichijō-ji Temple is a historic Tendai temple with a National Treasure pagoda and seasonal beauty.

What it is

• Tendai sect temple in Kasai City, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Principal image is Shō Kannon Bosatsu, a hidden Buddha.
• 26th temple of the Saigoku Sanjūsan-sho pilgrimage.
• Founded with the mountain name Hokke-zan.

What to see

• National Treasure three-storied pagoda built in 1171.
• Six gilt bronze Buddha statues from the 7th to 8th centuries.
• Main hall rebuilt in 1628 with feudal lord support.
• Bell tower is a Hyogo Prefecture cultural property.
• Stone stupa at the entrance supervised by Monkanbō Kōshin.

When to go

• Spring for cherry blossoms.
• Autumn for autumn leaves.

Address

兵庫県加西市坂本町821-17 Map

Read more about Ichijō-ji Temple

A historic Jodo Shinshu temple founded in 1580, housing a statue of Amida Nyorai in Nishinomiya City.

What it is

• A Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha temple founded in 1580
• The temple is dedicated to the main deity Amida Nyorai
• The mountain name of this religious site is Tomonzan
• Toyohara Taisei formerly served as the head priest here

What to see

• The main hall housing the image of Amida Nyorai
• Shinmei Hachiman Shrine located in the immediate vicinity
• The nearby Nishinomiya City Wakatake Library and Central Gymnasium Annex

Getting there

• Accessible by walking from the JR Nishinomiya Station
• Located within walking distance of Hankyu Nishinomiya-kitaguchi Station

Read more about Saifuku-ji Temple

An'yō-in is a historic dry landscape garden with unique stone arrangements, offering a glimpse into traditional design.

What it is

• A nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty since 1980.
• Created in the Azuchi-Momoyama period.
• A dry landscape garden with borrowed scenery.
• Expresses Horai Shinsen thought with bold stone arrangements.

What to see

• Horai stone, turtle stone, and crane stone arrangements.
• Two stone bridges and a cave stone arrangement.
• Three waterfall stone arrangements.
• Shoin building with two thatched-roof houses from mid-Edo period.

When to go

• Open to the public for limited periods.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from the Taizan-ji Niomon gate.

Address

〒651-2108 兵庫県神戸市西区伊川谷町前開 Map

Official site

www.do-main.co.jp

Read more about An'yō-in

Ancient Buddhist temple founded by Kūkai, offering unique deities and sacred spring water.

What it is

• Buddhist temple of the Kōyasan Shingon sect.
• Founded by Kūkai in 833.
• Main deity is Eleven-faced Kannon.
• Temple mountain name is Mount Rokkō.

What to see

• Main hall enshrines the Eleven-faced Kannon.
• Goma-dō enshrines Fudō Myōō, Bishamonten, and Benzaiten.
• Pagoda has a charnel house on the first floor.
• Pagoda enshrines Dainichi Nyorai, Fudō Myōō, and Aizen Myōō.
• Benzaiten Pond is on the temple grounds.
• Kannon-sui is drinkable spring water from Mount Rokkō.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from the Washirin-ji bus stop.

Address

兵庫県西宮市鷲林寺町4-8 Map

Read more about Jūrin-ji Temple

Banshū Naritasan is a unique branch temple with impressive pagodas and statues, worth an hour's visit.

What it is

• A branch temple of Naritasan Shinshō-ji Temple.
• Founded in 1950.
• Commonly known as Banshū Naritasan.
• Main deity is Fudō Myōō.

What to see

• Prototype Fudō Myōō statue.
• 23-meter Shaka Pagoda, modeled after Mahabodhi Temple.
• Wooden Shaka Nyorai statue and Buddha's relics inside the pagoda.
• 21-meter Nepalese-style three-story prayer hall, Hōrin-kaku.
• Standing Fudō Myōō statue in Hōrin-kaku.
• Substitute amulet from Naritasan Shinshō-ji.

Getting there

• 7-minute taxi ride from JR Kakogawa Line Nishiwakishi Station.

Address

兵庫県西脇市小坂町438-2 Map

Read more about Naritasan Hōrin-ji Temple

A historic Koyasan Shingon temple in Himeji dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, known for its ancient healing history and literary connections.

What it is

• A Koyasan Shingon sect temple located on Mount Rokuyasan in Himeji City.
• Dedicated to the deity Yakushi Nyorai and founded by the monk Gyoki.
• The third station of the Harima Eight Yakushi Pilgrimage route.
• Historical writer Takashi Terabayashi once served as the head priest here.

What to see

• The Main Hall which houses a statue of Yakushi Nyorai crafted by Hogen.
• A traditional Sanmon gate marking the entrance to the temple grounds.
• Architecture restored by the monk Daiho during the reign of Ikeda Terumasa.

Read more about Yakujo-ji Temple

Fumyoji is a historic Soto Zen temple with unique cultural properties and a rainmaking horse skull.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple in Takarazuka City.
• Founded in the mid-Heian period by Minamoto no Yorihira.
• Originally a Shingon sect temple, later rebuilt as Soto Zen.
• Served as an imperial prayer temple during the Chotoku era.

What to see

• Principal image is Amitabha Nyorai.
• Senju Kannon enshrined on the left side of the main hall.
• Hōkyōintō pagoda is a Prefectural Important Cultural Property.
• Zushi Tobira-e and Kasatoba are City Tangible Cultural Properties.
• A horned horse skull, a temple treasure for rainmaking.

Address

兵庫県宝塚市波豆字向井山1-26 Map

Read more about Fumyō-ji Temple

Visit Koke-ji Temple for Akashi City's oldest temple architecture and a historic Hakuho-era site.

What it is

• Tendai sect temple, founded in the late 7th century.
• Main image is Yakushi Nyorai.
• 5th sacred site of Banshu Yakushi.
• Only Hakuho temple in former Akashi County.

What to see

• Main hall built during the Genna era.
• Main hall is Akashi City's oldest temple architecture.
• Main hall is a Hyogo Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• Seated Yakushi Nyorai statue from the late Heian period.
• Taidera廃寺 pagoda site is a Hyogo Prefectural Historic Site.
• Taidera廃寺 site is estimated to be 100 meters square.

Address

兵庫県明石市太寺2丁目10-35 Map

Read more about Koke-ji Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a historic Tendai temple, part of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.

What it is

• Tendai sect temple in Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Principal image is the Eleven-faced Kannon Bosatsu.
• 25th temple of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Also known as Banshu Kiyomizu-dera.

What to see

• Konpon Chudo is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Daikodo is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Honbo is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Kyakuden is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Shoro is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Two swords are Important Cultural Properties.

Address

兵庫県加東市平木1194 Map

Read more about Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Zuihōji Park offers autumn leaves and historical relics at Arima Onsenkyo's highest point.

What it is

• An urban park in Arima Onsenkyo, Kobe City.
• Developed by Kobe City in 1951.
• Former site of Zuihōji Temple, founded in 1604.
• Located at 500m above sea level.

What to see

• A stone go board used by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
• Main gate relocated from Fushimi Momoyama Castle.
• A monument with a waka poem.
• Autumn leaves.

When to go

• Known for its autumn leaves.
• Arima Grand Tea Ceremony on November 2nd and 3rd.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Arima Onsen Station.

Read more about Zuihōji Park

Tōkutsu-ji Temple is a historic Tendai temple with surviving statues and a mountain Kannon.

What it is

• A Tendai sect temple.
• Founded by Hōdō Sennin during the Taika era.
• Served as a prayer place for Sasayama Castle lords.
• Once had 49 sub-temples and seven main halls.

What to see

• Eleven-faced Kannon, Fudō Myōō, Bishamonten, Yakushi Nyorai statues.
• Bishamonten enshrined in the Bishamondo hall.
• Ebisu enshrined in the Ebisudo hall.
• Iwaya Kannon about 600m up from the main hall.
• Tsugomori Kannon statue at Iwaya Kannon.

When to go

• Daihannya-e prayer festival on February 11th.

Address

兵庫県丹波篠山市藤岡奥161-4 Map

Read more about Tōkutsu-ji Temple

Enju-ji Temple is a modern Nichiren Buddhist temple with a unique history.

What it is

• A Nichiren Buddhist temple.
• Founded on March 14, 1942.
• Established as Kotokusan Enju-ji Temple.
• Its founder was Shinsenin Kanpo Nichijo Koji.

What to see

• A stupa built in 1930.
• The main hall, completed in 1935.
• The priest's living quarters, completed in 1935.
• The temple gate, completed in 1941.
• An earthen wall, completed in 1941.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from Tsurui Station on the JR Bantan Line.
• One minute from Ichikawa-Kita Interchange on Bantan Renraku Expressway.

Address

兵庫県神崎郡市川町沢286-1 Map

Read more about Enju-ji Temple