20 Temples in Ibaraki worth your time

A historic Tendai temple on former castle grounds featuring a National Important Cultural Property and the Date clan mausoleum.

What it is

• A Tendai Buddhist temple in Chikusei founded by Horin Dokushu in the late 6th century
• The temple grounds occupy the former site of Isa Castle
• A location where Nakamura Tomomune prayed for victory in the Oshu War
• A site historically supported by patronage and donations from the Date clan

What to see

• A wooden standing statue of Kannon designated as a National Important Cultural Property
• The ruins of Isa Castle which are a designated Ibaraki Prefectural Historic Site
• The main hall which is a Chikusei City designated cultural property
• The mausoleum of Date Yukitomo located within the temple grounds
• A large zelkova tree on site designated as a natural monument

Getting there

• The temple is a 14-minute walk from Orimoto Station

Read more about Kannon-ji Temple

A historic Jishū sect Buddhist temple in Mito featuring graves of famous martial artists and a monument to the Shōsei faction.

What it is

• A Jishū sect Buddhist temple founded in fifteen ninety-one
• The former head temple of the Yugyō faction moved here in sixteen eighty
• A spiritual site enshrining Keage Kannon for protection against lightning strikes
• The final resting place for martial artist Wada Heisuke and scholar Yamaguni Hyōbu

What to see

• The grave of the famous martial artist Wada Heisuke Masakatsu
• A city-designated cultural property monument commemorating the Shōsei faction
• Calligraphy by Matsudaira Katamori featured on the faction monument
• The original stone monument showing damage from nineteen forty-five air raids

Getting there

• Accessible by taking a bus from JR Mito Station
• Located within walking distance of the Daikumachi bus stop

Read more about Jinnō-ji Temple

A historic Tendai sect temple in Ushiku featuring Muromachi period architecture and designated cultural properties dating back to 1525.

What it is

• A Tendai sect temple restored by Tokihara Haruyori in 1525
• The main hall features architectural characteristics from the Muromachi period
• Naito Kiyonari ordered significant repairs to the site during the Tokugawa period
• The main hall underwent a major restoration project in 1990

What to see

• The main hall and Deva gate are designated prefectural cultural properties
• A wooden seated Eleven-faced Kannon statue kept as a cultural property
• Two Nio guardian statues from 1650 housed inside the Deva gate
• The Deva gate was restored using materials salvaged from the main hall
• A city-designated painting depicting Amida and Kannon

Getting there

• The temple is a fifteen minute drive from Ushiku Station

Read more about Kannon-ji Temple

A historic Jodo Shinshu temple founded by a former prince, featuring a renowned stroll garden and cultural treasures.

What it is

• A Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha temple located in Ishioka City.
• Founded during the Kamakura period by Shukan Daikaku, a prince of Emperor Go-Toba.
• The founder became a disciple of Shinran and renamed himself Zenshobo Ranei.

What to see

• A traditional stroll garden with a central pond known as the Garden with No Back View.
• The Myoho Renge Kyo, which is a prefectural cultural property.
• The Mida Myogo, another designated prefectural cultural property.
• Views of Mount Itashiki located to the northwest of the temple grounds.

Getting there

• A ten-minute drive from JR Fukuhara Station.
• Eight minutes by car from the Kasama-nishi Interchange.

Read more about Daikaku-ji Temple

A historic Tendai Buddhist temple founded in the ninth century, famous for its Kannon statue and prayers for safe childbirth.

What it is

• A Tendai Buddhist temple founded by Rensetsu Hoin between 823 and 833.
• Commonly known as the Ryugasaki Kannon, dedicated to a Sho-kanzeon Bosatsu statue.
• Renowned as a site for visitors to offer prayers regarding safe childbirth.
• The current main hall was rebuilt in 1975 after a fire in the Meiji period.

What to see

• A Sho-kanzeon Bosatsu statue believed to have been carved by the monk Kukai.
• The main hall which was reconstructed in 1975 following the destruction of the original.
• An amulet similar to the one presented to Princess Nagako in 1925.

Getting there

• The temple site is an eighteen minute walk from Ryugasaki Station.

Read more about Ryūsen-ji Temple

A historic Shingon Buddhist temple built on castle ruins, featuring ancient ritual tools and a notable 18th-century Kannon statue.

What it is

• A Shingon Buddhist temple reportedly founded by Kukai in the year 809
• The site of the former Kozutsumi Castle, later expanded by the Noda clan
• The 33rd station of the Katsushika Bando Kannon Pilgrimage
• A former administrator for several local Shinto shrines

What to see

• Remnants of square moats and earthen walls surrounding the temple grounds
• A Kannon Hall housing an eleven-headed Kannon statue from 1703
• Four ritual Esoteric Buddhist tools dating back to the late Heian period
• Prefectural cultural properties including a bronze Goko-rei and Sanko-sho

Getting there

• Accessible by bus departing from JR Koga Station

Official site

enmanji-koga.jp

Read more about Enman-ji Temple (Koga)

A historic Tendai sect temple in Ibaraki featuring a cultural property statue and a shrine within its quiet mountain grounds.

What it is

• A Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect located on Hanatatesan mountain
• Originally established as a branch temple of the nearby Gassan-ji
• Historical records indicate the site has existed since at least the year 1284
• The grounds house a community center and a local Shinto shrine

What to see

• The Nyoirin Kanzeon Bosatsu statue designated as a prefectural tangible cultural property
• The Kannon-do hall which was reconstructed in 1913
• A traditional mountain gate and a main hall within the precincts
• Sakamoto Shrine located inside the temple grounds

Getting there

• The temple is a 15-minute taxi ride from Haguro Station

Read more about Kannon-ji Temple

An ancient Shingon temple founded by Kukai, historically favored by the Tokugawa family for prayers regarding safe childbirth.

What it is

• A Shingon Buzan sect temple founded by the priest Kukai in 810
• The Mito Tokugawa family used this site to pray for safe childbirth
• The Shogunate historically granted the temple a ten koku land domain
• Restored by Yua in 1457 and renamed from its original title

What to see

• A traditional temple gate designated as a Shirosato Town cultural property
• The main hall which was rebuilt during the late Showa era
• A red seal letter issued by the Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune
• A historical letter written by Oyama Yoshikatsu held as a cultural property

Getting there

• Fourteen minute walk from the Takaneyama-iriguchi bus stop

Read more about Taisan-ji Temple

A historic Ji-shu sect Buddhist temple founded in 806 featuring ancient protected trees and significant cultural artifacts.

What it is

• A Buddhist temple belonging to the Ji-shu sect founded in the year 806.
• Historical site where Taira no Masakado once donated land to the temple.
• Home to a silk hanging scroll donated by the Hosokawa clan during the Edo period.

What to see

• A large ginkgo tree designated as a city cultural property.
• A chinquapin tree on the grounds recognized as a city cultural property.
• A silk hanging scroll that is registered as a prefectural cultural property.
• A designated portrait of Tenjin housed within the temple buildings.

Getting there

• Located a twenty minute drive from Ushiku Station.

Read more about Nenkō-ji Temple

A historic Jodo Shu temple in Tsuchiura featuring ancient Buddhist statues and the graves of prominent Japanese scholars.

What it is

• A Jodo Shu Buddhist temple founded by Matsudaira Nobukazu in 1601
• The temple grounds house the remains of scholar Takano Choei
• It serves as the final resting place for literary scholar Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi
• The site is dedicated to the main deity Amida Nyorai

What to see

• An Amida Nyorai statue dating back to the mid-Kamakura period
• The grave of Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi which is a city historic site
• A designated silk painting depicting the Nirvana
• A wooden Senju Kannon statue recognized as a city cultural property

Getting there

• The temple is an 18-minute walk from Tsuchiura Station

Read more about Jōshin-ji Temple

A historic Shingon Buzan temple founded in 821, housing cultural properties and a Yakshi Nyorai statue carved by its founder.

What it is

• A Shingon Buzan sect temple founded by the monk Saisen in 821
• Dedicated to a main deity of Yakshi Nyorai carved by the founder
• Site where Minamoto no Yoshiie prayed for victory during the Zenkunen War
• The temple complex moved to its current location in 1659

What to see

• An enshrined statue of the Myoken Bodhisattva
• Three items designated as prefectural cultural properties since 1960
• A silk painting depicting Shaka Juroku Zenjin
• A silk painting of Kogyo Daishi and the Hokuto-ji Butsugi Shidai

Getting there

• Located a nine minute walk from the Kurihara Higashi bus stop

Read more about Hokuto-ji

An ancient Tendai temple housing a Kamakura-period Amida Nyorai statue and a memorial to local folk heroes.

What it is

• A Tendai Buddhist temple founded in 806 by Mangan Shonin.
• The temple serves as a sanctuary for the deity Amida Nyorai.
• It honors the Namaita Sanginin who died after making a direct appeal.

What to see

• A wooden Amida Nyorai statue carved by the famous Kei school of sculptors.
• The Kamakura-period main statue designated as a prefectural cultural property.
• A memorial tower dedicated to the three men of Namaita Sanginin.
• The memorial tower which is recognized as a town cultural property.

Getting there

• The temple is located fifteen minutes by car from Ryugasaki Station.

Read more about Myōgyō-ji Temple

A historic Rinzai Zen temple in Ibaraki founded by Kukai, featuring ancient stone pagodas and ties to the Tokugawa clan.

What it is

• A Rinzai Nanzenji school temple located in Shirosato, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Founded by the priest Kukai in the year 809.
• Converted from Shingon to Rinzai Buddhism in 1344 by Satake Yoshiatsu.
• Received protection from Tokugawa Ieyasu and became a direct affiliate of Nanzenji.

What to see

• Three Hokyointo pagodas designated as municipal cultural properties.
• Rebuilt temple structures dating back to the mid-fourteenth century.
• Historic grounds that once received land grants from Minamoto no Yoritomo.

Getting there

• The temple is a 29-minute walk from Nakago bus stop.

Read more about Seion-ji

A historic site within Koga Comprehensive Park featuring stone pagodas of the Ashikaga family, former rulers of the Koga region.

What it is

• A former Rinzai school temple and branch of Kamakura's Engaku-ji.
• The site served as a family temple for the Koga Kubo Ashikaga family.
• The temple was abolished in 1871 and merged into Sanno-ji during the Meiji period.
• The grounds are now a designated Ibaraki Prefectural Cultural Property.

What to see

• Two remaining stone pagodas located within the Koga Comprehensive Park.
• A pagoda attributed to the ruler Ashikaga Yoshiuji.
• A second stone pagoda belonging to Ashikaga Yoshichika.

Getting there

• The site is a 26-minute walk from JR Koga Station.

Read more about Tokugen-in Temple

A historic Shinshu Otani-ha temple in Yachiyo founded by a disciple of Shinran who converted his private residence.

What it is

• A Shinshu Otani-ha temple located in Yachiyo, Ibaraki Prefecture.
• Founded by Shingyo, a disciple of Shinran formerly known as Soma Yoshikiyo.
• The original temple was created by converting the founder's private residence.
• The site belongs to a sect leader who briefly left and then returned to Shinran's teachings.

What to see

• A wooden standing statue of Amida Nyorai housed within the temple.
• The Amida Nyorai statue is a designated Yachiyo Town cultural property.

Getting there

• The temple is located eighteen minutes from Bando Interchange by car.

Read more about Kōtoku-ji

A Rinzai sect temple founded in 1678 featuring a historic waterfall and a wooden Kannon statue designated as cultural property.

What it is

• A Rinzai sect temple founded by Tokugawa Mitsukuni in 1678.
• The temple is dedicated to the primary deity Jizo Bosatsu.
• The grounds house a historic waterfall named by Tokugawa Mitsukuni in 1683.

What to see

• The Gyokuren Waterfall located within the temple grounds.
• The Kannon-do hall which houses the sacred Gyokuren Kannon statue.
• A wooden Kannon statue attributed to the famous sculptor Jocho.
• The prefectural cultural property statue kept inside the temple buildings.

Getting there

• The site is a thirty minute drive from Hitachi Station.

Read more about Gyokuren-ji Temple

Tokuman-ji Temple offers unique cultural properties and a historic Jizo Bosatsu statue.

What it is

• A temple of the Shingon-shu Buzan-ha sect.
• Restored by Yusei Shonin during the Genki era.
• Moved to this site after Fukawa Castle was abandoned.
• Jizo Bosatsu statue became the principal image in Genroku era.

What to see

• Jizo Bosatsu statue from Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple in Kyoto.
• A "Mabiki Ema" (thinning ema).
• Mabiki Ema is a designated cultural property.
• Wooden standing Jizo Bosatsu statue is a designated cultural property.

When to go

• An annual Jizo-ichi market is held.

Getting there

• 23-minute walk from Fusa Station.

Address

茨城県北相馬郡利根町布川3004 Map

Read more about Tokuman-ji Temple

A historic Shingon Buzan sect temple in Tsukuba known for its child-rearing Kannon and designated cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shingon Buzan sect temple founded by Priest Keiryu in 1618.
• Commonly known as Izumi Kosodate Kannon and located on the Sakura River.
• Enshrines a Kannon statue attributed to the famous monk Kobo Daishi.
• Designated as a prayer hall by the local lord Tsuchiya Masanao.

What to see

• The main gate donated by Lord Tsuchiya Masanao.
• The Nyorai Kojin statue, a designated cultural property of Tsukuba City.
• A scenic location included in the 100 Views of Ibaraki.

Getting there

• The site is a twenty minute drive from Tsukuba Station.

Official site

www.izumi-kosodate.com

Read more about Keiryū-ji Temple

A 13th-century Jōdo Shinshū temple in Naka City housing a National Important Cultural Property depicting the life of Prince Shōtoku.

What it is

• A Jōdo Shinshū Honganji-ha temple founded in 1221 by the priest Myōhō.
• The founder was one of the twenty-four senior disciples of Shinran.
• The temple name originates from the Jōgū royal family.
• The current site has been occupied by the temple since 1583.

What to see

• An illustrated biography of Prince Shōtoku designated as a National Important Cultural Property.
• Artwork depicting events from the birth of the prince to the fall of his family.

Getting there

• The temple is a one-minute walk from the Matsubara bus stop.

Official site

jyouguji.org

Read more about Jōgū-ji Temple

A 13th-century Shinshu Otani-ha temple founded by a senior disciple of Shinran, featuring a designated cultural property statue.

What it is

• A Shinshu Otani-ha temple founded by the monk Seinen in 1232
• The founder was one of the twenty-four senior disciples of Shinran
• The temple mountain name is Ichikoku-san and the institution name is Saicho-in
• It originated in Ichinotaya before moving to its current location in Sakai Town

What to see

• A standing statue of Amida Nyorai designated as a local cultural property
• The grave of the founder located five hundred meters south of the temple

Getting there

• The temple is a ten-minute drive from the Sakai-Koga Interchange

Read more about Myōan-ji Temple