20 Temples in Kōchi worth your time

Zenjibu-ji Temple offers spiritual history and Tosa Bay views, a key stop on the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Buzan-ha temple, founded by Gyoki.
• Established to pray for maritime safety.
• The 32nd Fudasho of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage.
• Main image is a Juichimen Kannon Bosatsu, enshrined by Kukai.

What to see

• The main image, called 'Funadama no Kannon'.
• Nio-mon gate with Kongo Rikishi statues.
• Two wooden Kongo Rikishi statues are important cultural properties.
• A bronze bell is a prefectural tangible cultural property.
• Views of Tosa Bay from the mountaintop.

Address

高知県南国市十市3084 Map

Read more about Zenjibu-ji Temple

Chikurin-ji Temple is a historic pilgrimage site with important cultural properties and a scenic garden.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha temple.
• Dedicated to Monju Bosatsu, a hidden Buddha.
• The 31st temple of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage.
• One of Japan's Three Monju temples.

What to see

• Main hall is an Important Cultural Property.
• Shoin (drawing room) is an Important Cultural Property.
• Five wooden statues of Monju Bosatsu and attendants.
• Garden is a designated Place of Scenic Beauty.
• Bronze bell from 1284.
• Historical sites on the Tosa Pilgrimage Road.

Address

高知県高知市五台山3577番地 Map

Official site

www.chikurinji.com

Read more about Chikurin-ji Temple

Iwamoto-ji Temple is a historic pilgrimage site with unique ceiling paintings worth seeing.

What it is

• A temple of the Shingon-shu Chizan-ha sect.
• Enshrines five principal Buddhas.
• The 37th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage.
• Founded by Gyoki during the Tenpyo era (729-749).

What to see

• The main hall, built in 1978.
• 575 ceiling paintings in the main hall.
• A mountain gate and Daishi-do hall.
• Shukubo (pilgrim's lodging) is available.

Getting there

• 0.7 km from Kubokawa Station.
• On the JR Shikoku Dosan Line.

Address

高知県高岡郡四万十町茂串町3-13 Map

Read more about Iwamoto-ji Temple

Soanji Temple is a historic Buddhist site with important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Rinzai sect Buddhist temple.
• Also known as Kawakami Fudo.
• The 17th Fudasho of the Shikoku 36 Fudo Pilgrimage.
• Protects the main deity Shakyamuni Nyorai.

What to see

• The Sanmon gate.
• The Hondo (Hoho) hall.
• The Fudo-do hall enshrining Kawakami Fudo.
• The Kannon-do hall.
• The Kuri building.
• A wooden seated Fudo Myoo statue, an Important Cultural Property.

When to go

• Kawakami Fudo is unveiled once every 60 years.

Address

高知県高知市宗安寺598番地 Map

Read more about Sōan-ji Temple

Shoryu-ji Temple is a historic pilgrimage site with important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Buzan-ha temple.
• The 36th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage.
• Founded by Kukai during the Konin era (810-824).
• Named after China's Qinglong Temple.

What to see

• Principal image is Nami-kiri Fudo Myoo.
• A seated Aizen Myoo statue is an Important Cultural Property.
• The temple has a three-storied pagoda.
• The Tosa Pilgrimage Road Seiryu-ji Road is a National Historic Site.
• The Okunoin is 0.8 km southeast of the temple.

Address

高知県土佐市宇佐町竜163番地 Map

Read more about Shouryū-ji Temple

Tanema-ji Temple is a historic Shingon temple, part of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, known for its cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Buzan-ha temple.
• The 34th temple of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage.
• Founded by Kukai during the Konin era (810-824).
• Known for prayers for safe childbirth.

What to see

• Wooden seated Yakushi Nyorai statue, an Important Cultural Property.
• Wooden standing Yakushi Nyorai statue, a city cultural property.
• A stone chozubachi made in 1677.

When to go

• Main deity unveiled annually on March 8th.

Address

高知県高知市春野町秋山72番地 Map

Read more about Tanema-ji Temple

Yakushi-ji Temple: a Shingon-shu temple with a mountain hall, part of a pilgrimage.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Buzan-ha sect temple.
• Its mountain name is Iwayasan.
• The principal image is Yakushi Nyorai.
• It is the 59th Fudasho of the New Shikoku Mandala Pilgrimage.

What to see

• The main hall is on the temple grounds.
• Iwaya Kannon-do is near the mountaintop.
• The principal image of Iwaya Kannon-do is Eleven-faced Kannon Bosatsu.

When to go

• An annual festival is held on February 11th.

Address

高知県高知市介良丙1832 Map

Read more about Yakushi-ji Temple

Toyodaishi is a historic temple where Kobo Daishi prayed, offering a unique pilgrimage experience.

What it is

• A Shingon Buzan sect temple, also known as Myotokuji.
• Dedicated to Kobo Daishi, its principal image.
• An extra sacred site of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage.
• Founded after Kukai's visit in the early Heian period.

What to see

• The waterfall where Kukai prayed and water sprang forth.
• The temple buildings, built in front of the waterfall.

Getting there

• Located on National Route 55.

Address

高知県安芸郡東洋町大字野根丙2246 Map

Read more about Toyodaishi

Myōsan-ji Temple is a historic Jōdo-shū temple housing important Kamakura-period statues.

What it is

• A Jōdo-shū Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1539 by Myōsan-ni.
• Temporarily abolished, then rebuilt by parishioners.

What to see

• Wooden standing statue of Shō Kannon.
• Statue is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Shō Kannon statue is 105cm tall, made of cypress wood.
• Shō Kannon statue created during the Kamakura period.
• Standing statue of Amitābha Tathāgata.
• Main hall, rebuilt in 1932.

Address

高知県安芸市本町一丁目1番21号 Map

Read more about Myōsan-ji Temple

Enkoji Temple, part of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, offers ancient statues and a legendary bronze bell.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha temple.
• The 39th Fudasho of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage.
• Main deity is Yakushi Nyorai.
• Re-established in 1889.

What to see

• Main deity Yakushi Nyorai, carved by Gyoki in 724.
• Nikko and Gakko Bosatsu, carved and enshrined by Kukai.
• Bronze bell, a nationally important cultural property.
• Bronze bell dates to 911.
• Wooden statue of Yakushi Nyorai is from the Heian period.

Address

高知県宿毛市平田町中山390 Map

Read more about Enkou-ji Temple

Saishoji is a historic Nichiren temple with important cultural assets and a tranquil atmosphere.

What it is

• A Nichiren sect Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1502 by Hosokawa Katsumasu.
• Dedicated to the Jikkai Mandala.
• Relocated in 2002 due to airport expansion.

What to see

• A bronze bell from 1432, a cultural asset.
• A 1593 mandala honzon woodblock, a cultural asset.
• The grave of Hosokawa Yorimasu.
• Kannon-do hall enshrining the Sho Kannon Bosatsu.
• A memorial tower for flood victims, moved in 2019.

Address

高知県南国市田村乙1223番地1 Map

Read more about Saishō-ji Temple

Daizen-ji Temple is a significant pilgrimage site with multiple sacred connections.

What it is

• Koyasan Shingon sect temple.
• Main deity is Kobo Daishi.
• Known as Susaki Koyasan and Futatsuishi Daishi.
• Restored in 1896 by devotees.

What to see

• Main hall enshrines Kobo Daishi.
• Kompira-gu Shrine is above the temple grounds.

Getting there

• Located on a hill at the southwestern end of Susaki city.
• Paid parking lot for 8 cars and 1 large vehicle.

Address

高知県須崎市西町1-2-1 Map

Read more about Daizen-ji Temple

Enichi-ji Temple, founded in 725, houses significant Buddhist statues and a rich history.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded by Gyōki in 725.
• Principal image is the Eleven-faced Kannon.
• Kūkai visited during the Heian period.

What to see

• Wooden Eleven-faced Kannon standing statue.
• Wooden Kongōkai Dainichi Nyorai seated statue.
• Wooden Taizōkai Dainichi Nyorai seated statue.
• All three statues are National Important Cultural Properties.

Address

高知県香南市香我美町山北4475番地 Map

Read more about Enichi-ji Temple

Taiheiji is a historic Rinzai Buddhist temple founded in the 14th century, housing important cultural statues.

What it is

• Rinzai sect Buddhist temple.
• Founded in the Bunwa era (1352-1355).
• Nun Kaiho Shoko was the founder.
• Restored in 1879 by Kanchu Gentetsu.

What to see

• Wooden seated statues of Kaiho Shoko and Kakun.
• Statues are Important Cultural Properties.
• Temple gate built in the early Edo period.

Getting there

• 5-minute drive from Nakamura Station.

Address

高知県四万十市右山元町1-4-27 Map

Read more about Taihei-ji Temple

Visit this pilgrimage temple to see historic stone markers and a revered Buddhist statue.

What it is

• Buddhist hall in Tosashimizu City, Kochi Prefecture.
• Dedicated to Jizo Bodhisattva.
• An extra-numbered temple of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage.
• Built by Shinnen during the Tenwa era (1681-1683).

What to see

• Eighty-eight replica stone Buddhas from the Meiji era.
• 55 cho-ishi (milestones) along a 14km section.
• Repaired seated statue of Kobo Daishi, enshrined 2023.

Address

高知県土佐清水市下ノ加江3009 Map

Read more about Shinnen-an Temple

Jōfuku-ji Temple, founded in 724, offers historical buildings and unique botanical gardens.

What it is

• It is the 61st Fudasho of the New Shikoku Mandala Pilgrimage.
• The temple was founded in 724 by Gyōki.
• The main deity is Amida Nyorai.

What to see

• The main hall was built in 1779.
• The main hall is a registered tangible cultural property.
• The Daishidō is a registered tangible cultural property.
• See the Man'yō Botanical Garden.
• View Ōga lotus plants.

Address

高知県長岡郡大豊町粟生158 Map

Official site

jofukuji-kochi.jp

Read more about Jōfuku-ji Temple

Kankei-in Temple is a Soto Zen temple with ties to the Mitsubishi founders, worth visiting for its history.

What it is

• A Soto sect Buddhist temple.
• The 60th temple of the New Shikoku Mandala Pilgrimage.
• Re-established in March 1883.
• Iwasaki family, founders of Mitsubishi, were parishioners.

What to see

• The principal image is Amida Nyorai.
• Current temple buildings were built in 1901.

Getting there

• About 10 minutes by taxi from Aki Station.

Address

高知県安芸市井ノ口乙2029 Map

Read more about Kankei-in Temple

A historic Rinzai temple, part of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage, with important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Rinzai sect Myoshin-ji school temple.
• Principal image is Yakushi Nyorai.
• 33rd temple of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage.
• Founded by Kukai.

What to see

• Bishamonten statue is a genuine work by Tankei.
• 16 Important Cultural Properties are preserved.
• Wooden statues of Yakushi Nyorai and two attendants.
• Wooden statues of Bishamonten and two attendants.

Address

高知県高知市長浜857番地3 Map

Read more about Sekkei-ji Temple

Gyuko-ji Temple, a historic Rinzai Buddhist temple, offers ancient artifacts and a peace pagoda.

What it is

• Rinzai sect Buddhist temple.
• Originated from a hermitage built in 1318.
• Muso Soseki founded the hermitage.
• Renamed Gyuko-ji in 1601.

What to see

• Wooden seated Jizo Bosatsu statue is an Important Cultural Property.
• Gyuko-an site is a prefectural historic site.
• Ashikaga Yoshimochi's votive tablet exists.
• Kochi Peace Pagoda was built in 1983.

Address

高知県高知市吸江132番地 Map

Read more about Gyuko-ji Temple

Anraku-ji Temple: a historic Buddhist temple with a unique pagoda and ancient statues.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Buzan-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded between 901 and 923.
• Rebuilt between 1661 and 1673.
• Re-established in 1875.

What to see

• A Nio-mon gate.
• A main hall and a Daishi-do hall.
• A Tahoto pagoda.
• A wooden seated statue of Amida Nyorai.
• The statue is an Important Cultural Property.
• The statue was made around the 13th century.

Address

高知県高知市洞ヶ島町5番3号 Map

Read more about Anraku-ji Temple