20 Temples in Kumamoto worth your time

This temple, founded by Kato Kiyomasa, offers a stone pathway, unique concrete gate, and a historic staircase.

What it is

• Nichiren Buddhist temple in western Kumamoto.
• Founded in 1585 in Osaka by Kato Kiyomasa.
• Dedicated to the memory of Kato Kiyomasa's father.
• Relocated to its current site in 1616.

What to see

• Concrete niomon front gate from 1920.
• Long stone pathway leading to the temple.
• Munatsuki Gangi stone staircase with 176 steps.
• Hundreds of stone lanterns lining the staircase.
• Enormous joyato lantern at the top of the staircase.
• Mausoleum with worship hall and main sanctuary.

Getting there

• Long stone pathway leads from the road to the temple.

Address

熊本県熊本市西区花園4-13-1 Map

Official site

www.honmyouji.jp

Read more about Honmyō-ji Temple

A 13th-century Jodo sect temple in Kumamoto featuring historic Jizo statues and ties to the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion.

What it is

• A Jodo sect Buddhist temple dedicated to the deity Amida Nyorai.
• Founded in 1228 by Priest Bencho and moved to its current site in 1724.
• Served as the Kumamoto Corps headquarters during the historic Satsuma Rebellion.

What to see

• The 6th and 100th Hogyu Jizo statues located on the temple grounds.
• The burial site of the temple founder, Priest Bencho.
• A memorial tower dedicated to Seishoin and a Hokyointo tower built by Gocho.

Getting there

• The temple is located a short walk from the Ojoin-mae bus stop.

Read more about Ōjō-in Temple

Shōzen-in Temple, also known as Cat Temple, is a historic Shingon-shu temple with unique cat-themed cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha temple.
• Commonly known as "Nekodera" or Cat Temple.
• Its Kannon-do hall was built in 1625.
• Main hall and living quarters are Japan Heritage cultural properties.

What to see

• A pair of guardian cats (Komane) next to the main gate.
• The Kannon-do hall, a National Important Cultural Property.
• Cats carved on the altar's panel inside the Kannon-do hall.
• Kannon-do hall has a hip-and-gable roof and thatched roof.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from Kumagawa Railway Yunomae Station.

Address

熊本県球磨郡水上村大字岩野3542 Map

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A historic temple in Kumamoto, founded in 1593, dedicated to academic success.

What it is

• A syncretic Buddhist temple founded in 1593.
• Brave warriors from Mōshigi founded the temple.
• It is also called Dazaifu of the West.
• Students visit for academic improvement and success.

What to see

• Monju Bosatsu is the principal deity.
• It enshrines Amitābha, Akiba Myōjin, and Ikime Hachiman.
• Mōshigi Monju-dō was selected as New Kumamoto 100 Landscapes.

When to go

• The annual festival is on January 1st.
• The first shrine visit is from January 2nd to 3rd.

Address

熊本県宇城市小川町東海東3077 Map

Read more about Mōshigi monju-dō Temple

Eikokuji Temple offers ghost tales, a scenic pond, and artifacts from the Satsuma Rebellion.

What it is

• Soto Zen Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1408.
• Known for ghost tales and Satsuma Rebellion events.

What to see

• Picturesque pond behind the Main Hall.
• Copy of a hanging scroll depicting a ghost.
• Artifacts from the Satsuma Rebellion in Main Hall.
• Artillery shell from the rebellion.
• Hanging scroll with calligraphy by Saigo Takamori.
• Flowering plants and trees around the pond.

When to go

• Enjoy varied colors of changing seasons.

Address

熊本県人吉市土手町5 Map

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Mangan-ji Temple is a historic site with ancient trees and cultural properties, worth visiting for its serene beauty.

What it is

• A Koyasan Shingon sect temple.
• Founded in 1274 by Hojo Tokisada.
• Principal image is Jizo Bosatsu.
• The 16th temple of the Kyushu Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• Konpira Sugi, a 1000-year-old National Natural Monument.
• Mangan-ji Garden, a Prefectural Scenic Spot.
• Mangan-ji Pagoda, a Prefectural Important Cultural Property.
• Mangan-ji Stone Pagoda Group, a Prefectural Historic Site.
• Painting of Hojo Tokisada, a National Important Cultural Property.

Address

熊本県阿蘇郡南小国町満願寺2292番地 Map

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Explore a historic Zen temple, cave, and park with samurai connections and scenic views.

What it is

• Soto Zen Buddhist temple, also called Iwato Kannon.
• Established by the Zen monk Tōryō Eiyo.
• Main deity is a horse-headed Kannon statue.
• Temple grounds are a designated historic site.

What to see

• 16 Rakan and 500 Rakan stone statues.
• Reigando Cave, where Miyamoto Musashi wrote.
• Treasure hall with Miyamoto Musashi's sword and self-portrait.
• Iwatono-sato Park surrounds the temple.
• Kuroiwa Observatory offers views of Mount Unzen-Fugen.

Address

熊本県熊本市西区松尾町平山589 Map

Read more about Unganzen-ji Temple

Historic Lutheran church in Kumamoto, rebuilt after war, notable for its architecture and resilience.

What it is

• A Lutheran church, founded in 1905.
• Designed by American architect William Merrell Vories.
• Rebuilt in 1950 after wartime destruction.
• Registered as a tangible cultural property in 2019.

What to see

• The distinctive architecture by William Merrell Vories.
• A building restored after earthquake damage in 2016.

Getting there

• 3-minute walk from Suidocho streetcar stop.
• 1-minute walk from Suidocho bus stop.

Official site

kumamoto-lutheran-church.blogspot.jp

Read more about Japan Evangelical Lutheran Kumamoto Church

Kōfuku-ji Temple is a historic Zen temple founded in 1357, preserving ancient documents and treasures.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple, founded in 1357.
• A direct branch temple of Eihei-ji Temple.
• The 24th sacred site of Higo Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Founded by Kikuchi Takezumi, with Daitchi Zenji as founding priest.

What to see

• Ancestral tablets of the Kikuchi clan.
• Ancient documents related to the Kikuchi clan.
• Many temple treasures.
• A temple gate with a Shodai 88 Sacred Sites plaque.
• The main hall, formerly a zazen hall.

Address

熊本県玉名市石貫1379 Map

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Jogyoji Temple: a historic Jodo Shinshu temple with notable burials, easily accessible by bus.

What it is

• A Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded between the Sengoku and early Edo periods.
• Its mountain name is Chōryūzan.

What to see

• Burial site of Japanese naval officer Horiuchi Toyoaki.

Getting there

• Immediately accessible from Jogyoji bus stop.
• Bus routes connect to Kumamoto, Kami-Kumamoto, and Tatsutaguchi Stations.
• 500m north of Fujisakigū-mae Station along Route 3.

Address

熊本県熊本市中央区坪井3-10-18 Map

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Daiji-ji is a historic Soto Zen temple in Kumamoto with important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple in Kumamoto City.
• Founded in 1278 by Kangan Gien.
• Also known as Daiji Zenji.

What to see

• Main hall completed in 1300.
• Somon gate built in 1720.
• Sutra repository built in 1746.
• Bronze bell from 1287, an Important Cultural Property.
• Stupa from 1224, a Prefectural Important Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 25-minute walk from JR Kawashiri Station.

Address

〒861-4114　 熊本県熊本市南区野田１丁目７−１ Map

Official site

kumamoto-guide.jp

Read more about Daiji-ji Temple

Rendai-ji Temple, a historic site with unique statues and a well, offers a glimpse into local legends.

What it is

• Jodo-shu Seizan Zenrin-ji sect temple.
• Also known as Higaki-dera and Sentai Jizo-ji.
• History began around 984-986 with poet Higaki.
• 16th sacred site of Higo Province 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• Treasures 'Higaki no To' and 'Higaki Oba Zo'.
• Amida Buddha statue donated in 1671.
• Thousand Jizo statues enshrined by Myoku Shonin.
• Old well where Higaki is believed to have drawn water.

Address

熊本県熊本市西区蓮台寺2-10-1 Map

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Ancient Tendai temple with imperial ties, housing important cultural statues and family graves.

What it is

• Tendai sect temple, one of the Kikuchi Gozan.
• Founded in 938 by Shokei Hoin.
• Became an imperial temple in 1089.
• Family temple of the Kikuchi clan.

What to see

• Graves of the Kikuchi family are on the grounds.
• Main hall was rebuilt in 1819.
• Wooden Eleven-faced Senju Kannon is the principal image.
• Wooden Fudo Myoo and Bishamonten statues.
• Fudo Myoo hanging scroll.

Address

熊本県菊池市亘406 Map

Official site

www.tendai924.com

Read more about Tōfuku-ji Temple

Shaka-in Temple is a historic Tendai temple with important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Tendai sect temple in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture.
• Founded in 799 by Jōzen Daishi.
• Main deity is Shaka Nyorai.
• Also called 'Pokkuri-dera'.

What to see

• Bronze Shaka Nyorai statue, important cultural property.
• Seven wooden seated statues, important cultural property.

When to go

• Hanamatsuri festival is held on April 8th.

Address

熊本県八代市泉町柿迫5536 Map

Read more about Shaka-in Temple (Yatsushiro)

Myodoji is a historic temple with ancient Buddhist statues and important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha temple.
• Founded in 1229 as Josenji Amidado.

What to see

• Josenji Amidado: a thatched, hip-roofed Buddhist hall.
• Josenji Nine-tiered Stone Pagoda.
• Josenji Seven-tiered Stone Pagoda.
• Wooden Amida Nyorai and two attendant figures from 1229.
• Myodoji Main Hall, completed in 1926.
• Bronze Nyorai statue from 1381.

Address

熊本県球磨郡湯前町1955（城泉寺阿弥陀堂の Map

Read more about Myōdō-ji Temple

Aira-ji Temple houses Japan's largest wooden seated statue, a must-see cultural property.

What it is

• A Tendai sect temple, re-established in 1877.
• Commonly known as Sagara Kannon.
• A fudasho on three different pilgrimages.

What to see

• Principal image: Senju Kannon statue from late Muromachi period.
• Statue is approximately 3.4 meters tall.
• Japan's largest wooden seated statue.
• Statue is a Yamaga City cultural property.

Address

熊本県山鹿市菊鹿町相良370 Map

Official site

www.tendai924.com

Read more about Aira-ji Temple

Iō-ji Temple is an ancient Shingon temple with important statues and a connection to the Matsui family.

What it is

• A Kōyasan Shingon sect temple.
• Founded in the mid-Heian period.
• Commonly known as Ashide Kōjin.
• The 54th sacred site of the Kyushu 88 Sacred Places.

What to see

• A wooden Yakushi Nyorai standing statue.
• A wooden Shō Kannon Bosatsu standing statue.
• A Myōken Bosatsu statue.
• A stone Kongō Rikishi statue.

Address

熊本県八代市袋町5-34 Map

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Saigan-ji Temple, a historic Jodo-shu Buddhist temple, offers a glimpse into Japan's past.

What it is

• A Jodo-shu Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1228 by Chinzei Shonin Bencho.
• Rebuilt by Taiwa, who received the title Tenka Shonin.

What to see

• Back gate with a plaque: Chokugo Tenka Shonin Iseki.
• Plaque Sanno on the main hall, inscribed by Hosokawa Tadaoki.
• Grave of Taiwa Oshō, dated July 13, 1660.

Address

熊本県熊本市中央区下通2-8-2 Map

Read more about Saigan-ji Temple (Kumamoto)

Jōdō-ji Temple is a historic Rinzai temple with a significant wooden sculpture, worth visiting for its heritage.

What it is

• A Rinzai sect temple.
• Founded by Kanchu Genshi Oshō.
• Named after Buddha's enlightenment day.
• Kikuchi Mochitomo donated land in 1426.

What to see

• 33cm wooden sculpture from the Muromachi period.
• Temple grounds are 3000 tsubo.

When to go

• Open from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Address

熊本県熊本市西区花園7丁目2476 Map

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Sanpoji Temple, founded in 1674, preserves a rare woodblock and honors its founder.

What it is

• A temple of the Obaku sect.
• Founded in 1674 by Tetsugen Dokou.
• The founder's home became the main hall.

What to see

• One woodblock of the Tetsugen Issaikyo.
• A wooden statue of Zen Master Tetsugen.

Getting there

• 7 minutes by taxi from Ogawa Station.

Address

熊本県宇城市小川町南部田1138 Map

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