20 Temples in Niigata worth your time

A 13th-century Jishu sect Buddhist temple in Kashiwazaki housing significant city-designated cultural artifacts and feudal clan history.

What it is

• A Jishu sect Buddhist temple founded by Taa Shinkyo in 1293.
• The former family temple for the Echigo-Kitajo clan.
• Established during the founder's travels through the Echigo Province.
• The abbot famously mediated the surrender of the nearby Kitajo Castle.

What to see

• A city-designated peony-patterned lacquered desk.
• A writing set featuring bamboo and sparrow maki-e designs.
• An illustrated biography of the holy man Ippen Shonin.
• Historical artifacts preserved from the era of the Echigo-Kitajo clan.

Getting there

• The temple site is a thirty-minute walk from Yasuda Station.

Read more about Senshō-ji Temple

This temple honors Nichiren, who stayed here before exile, offering insight into his teachings and journey.

What it is

• Hofukuji belongs to the Nichiren school of Buddhism.
• Founded by Nichiren (1222–1282), a Buddhist priest.
• Land donated by the Ishikawa family in 1706.

What to see

• Soshido (Founder’s Hall) on the property.
• Inside the hall: scroll painting of Nichiren’s sea crossing.
• Inside the hall: copy of the Letter from Teradomari.
• Inside the hall: golden altar with a statue of Nichiren.
• Ground well used by Nichiren to wet his inkstone.
• Large statue of Nichiren erected beside the well in 1964.

When to go

• Doors of the small wooden hall are usually closed, but visitors may enter freely.

Address

新潟県長岡市寺泊二ノ関2720 Map

Read more about Hōfuku-ji Temple (Nagaoka)

Honjo-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple, founded in 1297, known for its demon dance.

What it is

• Head temple of the Hokke-shu Jinmon-ryu sect.
• Founded in 1297 by Saint Nichiin.
• Renamed Chokyu-zan Honjo-ji in 1314.
• Oversees temples and followers in Eastern Japan.

What to see

• Ten sub-temples are on the grounds.
• Main hall, guest hall, and other buildings.
• Mandala painting is a cultural property.

When to go

• Oni Odori (demon dance) is held annually on February 3rd.
• The Oni Odori is a great demon dance.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from Sanjo Station.

Address

新潟県三条市西本成寺1-1-20 Map

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Chotokuji Temple honors the 47 Ronin and offers unique historical artifacts.

What it is

• Buddhist temple in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture.
• Family temple of Horibe Taketsune's birth family.
• Dedicated to the Ako Roshi (47 Ronin).

What to see

• Ishidai Pine, planted by Horibe Taketsune.
• Gishido hall, completed in 1929.
• Wooden statues of the Ako Roshi inside Gishido.
• Main hall and kuri are registered cultural properties.

When to go

• Gishisai festival is held annually on December 14th.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk west from JR Shibata Station.

Address

新潟県新発田市大栄町2-7-22 Map

Official site

www.choutokuji.jp

Read more about Chōtoku-ji Temple

Shōfuku-ji Temple is a historic Sōtō Zen temple with unique graves and war memorials.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple.
• Founded in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture.
• Served as a domain hospital during the Boshin War.
• Site of Kokkan School, opened in 1869.

What to see

• Grave of Udon Danjiro.
• Grave of Myotoku-in, daughter of Honjo Seishichiro.
• Suwa Shrine on the temple grounds.
• Grave for victims of the 1945 Nagaoka air raid.

When to go

• Memorial service for war victims held annually on August 1.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from JR Nagaoka Station.

Address

新潟県長岡市四郎丸4-6-21 Map

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Ancient temple with unique Heian-period statues and a Kiyomizu-style stage.

What it is

• Temple founded in 808.
• Belongs to the Shingon-shu Buzan-ha sect.
• Dedicated to Senju Kannon.

What to see

• Kiyomizu-no-Butai (Kyuseiden) stage.
• Only collection of Heian period 28 attendant statues.
• Main hall is a city-designated cultural property.
• Nio-mon gate is a city-designated cultural property.
• Chu-mon gate is a city-designated cultural property.
• Bell tower is a city-designated cultural property.

Getting there

• About 3 km southeast from Hiyoshi Jinja-mae intersection.

Address

新潟県佐渡市新穂大野124-1 Map

Official site

www.sado-seisuiji.jp

Read more about Seisui-ji Temple

A historic Soto Zen training center in Niigata featuring a 17th-century main hall and ancient botanical monuments.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple founded in 1446 by Uesugi Fusatomo.
• One of the four major Soto training centers in the Echigo region.
• The founding priest was Nanei Kenshu.

What to see

• The main hall built in 1699 is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Calligraphy and books designated as prefectural cultural assets are kept here.
• A silver osmanthus tree serves as a city-designated natural monument.

Getting there

• The temple is an eleven-minute drive from Iwamuro Station.

Read more about Shugetsu-ji Temple

Historic Tendai temple with a unique pagoda, rebuilt by Uesugi Kenshin, offering cultural insights.

What it is

• Tendai sect temple, successor to Echigo Kokubun-ji Temple.
• Main deity is the Gochi Nyorai.
• Relocated and rebuilt in 1562 by Uesugi Kenshin.
• Temple grounds are a Joetsu City Historic Site.

What to see

• Main hall, rebuilt in 1997, enshrines five Gochi Nyorai statues.
• Three-storied pagoda, only one in the Joetsu region.
• Pagoda is a Niigata Prefecture Designated Cultural Property.
• Kyozo (sutra repository) was built in 1693.
• Kyozo and Sanmon (temple gate) are City Designated Cultural Properties.

Address

新潟県上越市五智3-20-21 Map

Official site

www5c.biglobe.ne.jp

Read more about Gochi Kokubun-ji Temple

Tokushō-ji Temple is a historic Zen temple with ancient artifacts and clan connections.

What it is

• Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1479 by Naoe Hidetsuna.
• Family temple of the Naoe clan.
• Became a prayer temple for the Arisugawa-no-miya family in 1828.

What to see

• Principal image is the Eleven-faced Kannon.
• Jomon period pottery and stone tools excavated from grounds.
• Site is a city-designated historic site as Tokushō-ji Ruins.
• Flame-type pottery is a city-designated cultural property.

Getting there

• 20-minute drive from JR Echigo Line Kojimaya Station.

Address

新潟県長岡市与板町与板乙6025 Map

Read more about Tokushō-ji Temple

Jōzen-ji is a unique concrete temple, founded by Shinran's followers, worth visiting for its Indian pagoda style.

What it is

• Jōdo Shinshū Honganji-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded by a couple who met Shinran Shōnin.
• Existed as a branch of Hongan-ji during the Edo period.

What to see

• Main hall in Indian pagoda style.
• Main hall designed in the Taishō era.
• Main hall built in 1928.
• Main hall is reinforced concrete.
• Main hall is a registered tangible cultural property.

Getting there

• 8-minute walk from Kakizaki Station.
• Kakizaki Station is on the JR Shin'etsu Main Line.

Address

新潟県上越市柿崎区柿崎6389 Map

Official site

kakizaki-jyouzenji.jp

Read more about Jōzen-ji Temple

Dairin-ji is a historic Zen temple with registered cultural properties, easily accessible from Nakajō Station.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple.
• Founded in the early Muromachi period.
• Had a deep relationship with the Lord Chūjō clan.
• Returned to its current location in the early Edo period.

What to see

• Main Hall is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Kuri is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Kyōzō is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Itabi Group is a Tainai City Designated Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 18-minute walk from Nakajō Station.

Address

新潟県胎内市東本町14-56 Map

Read more about Dairin-ji Temple

Toko-ji is a Soto Zen temple from the Muromachi period, home to a unique Kannon statue.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple.
• Its Sango is Sogukusan.
• Built during the Muromachi period.

What to see

• A monument from 1780 stands in front of the gate.
• Statue of Tachiki Kannon, carved into a living tree.
• Kannon-do hall houses the Buddha statue.
• Toko-ji Unban is a city-designated cultural property.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.
• Accessible by bus from Tokamachi Station.
• Accessible by car from Shiozawa-Ishiuchi Interchange.

Address

新潟県十日町市倉俣甲1451 Map

Read more about Tōkō-ji Temple

Fukushōji is a historic Sōtō Zen temple with important samurai connections and unique statues.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple founded in 1394.
• A branch temple of Untō-an.
• Family temple of samurai Shibata Shigeie.
• Rebuilt in 1857 after a fire.

What to see

• Wooden statue of Shaka Nyorai is the principal image.
• Statues of Monju Bosatsu and Fugen Bosatsu as attendants.
• Bronze statue in front of the main gate.
• Rakan-dō and Sasaki-dō are on the temple grounds.
• Sasaki-dō is the mausoleum of Shibata Shigeie.
• Shibata Shigeie's grave is next to the main hall.

Address

新潟県新発田市中央町2丁目2−7 Map

Read more about Fukushō-ji Temple

Historic Sōtō Zen temple, founded in 1324, known for its architecture and connection to Zeami.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1324 as the Honma clan's family temple.
• Known as a place of exile for Zeami.
• Principal image is Shaka Nyorai.

What to see

• Main hall built in 1721, renovated in 1897.
• Kannon-dō built in the early 1700s.
• Gokoku-zō built in 1704.
• Six buildings are registered cultural properties.
• Oldest Shinjimen Beshimi mask in Niigata Prefecture.

When to go

• Shōbō-ji Candle Noh event is held in June.

Address

新潟県佐渡市泉甲504番地 Map

Read more about Shōbō-ji Temple

Fukoji Temple, founded in 807, offers a historic gate and a rebuilt main hall.

What it is

• Fukoji is a Shingon-shu Buzan-ha temple.
• Bishamondo was founded in 807 by Sakanoue Tamuramaro.
• The principal image is Dainichi Nyorai.

What to see

• The temple gate was built from 1820 to 1831.
• The temple gate is made entirely of zelkova wood.
• The temple gate has a painting by Tani Buncho.
• Bishamondo was rebuilt in 1937 by Ito Chuta.

When to go

• Urasa Bishamondo Hada Osai Festival is a national intangible folk cultural property.

Address

新潟県南魚沼市 浦佐2495番地 Map

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Senzō-in Temple is a historic Shingon temple, part of a pilgrimage, with notable Buddhist statues.

What it is

• It is a Shingon-shu Buzan-ha temple.
• Founded in 1618 by Keizen.
• Main image is Senju Kannon, attributed to Gyōki.
• It is the 15th site of the Echigo Sanjūsan Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• Main image of Senju Kannon.
• Attendant deities Fudō Myōō and Bishamonten.

When to go

• Kannon market was held annually from July 7th to 13th.

Getting there

• 12-minute walk southwest from JR Nagaoka Station.

Address

新潟県長岡市柏町1丁目 Map

Official site

senzouin.jp

Read more about Senzō-in Temple

Oppo-ji Temple is a historic Shingon Buddhist temple with important cultural properties and a unique legend.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chisan-ha Buddhist temple.
• Also known as Saru Kuyo-ji and Kinoto-dera.
• Founded in 736 by order of Emperor Shomu.
• Associated with the legend of the 'Sutra-copying Monkey'.

What to see

• A three-story pagoda, a National Important Cultural Property.
• The main hall, rebuilt in 1983.
• The Niomon gate, built in 1745.
• The Benten-do hall, a Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• A stone monument with a haiku by Matsuo Basho.

Address

新潟県胎内市乙1112 Map

Official site

oppouji.info

Read more about Oppo-ji Temple

Myōkō-ji Temple is a historic Nichiren Buddhist temple, founded in 1271, with several cultural properties.

What it is

• A Nichiren Buddhist temple.
• Founded by Nichiren in 1271.
• Its sangō is Kakudasan.
• Known as Kakudahama no Santaimoku.

What to see

• The main hall, rebuilt in 2001.
• The preserved guest hall.
• The Sanmon gate, built during the Bunka era.
• The Sanmon gate is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• The triple miniature pagoda is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• The bell tower is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.

Address

新潟県新潟市西蒲区角田浜1056 Map

Read more about Myōkō-ji Temple

Ryugenji is a Soto Zen temple founded in 1582, offering a glimpse into local history and Buddhist architecture.

What it is

• A Soto Zen Buddhist temple.
• Its mountain name is Shinkensan.
• Founded in 1582 by Hiyama Kenkei.
• An educational terakoya was established here in 1856.

What to see

• Temple buildings established by the third abbot.
• Yakushido built in Warino village.
• Seikanzeon Bosatsu built in 1977 for war spirits.

Getting there

• Accessible by Hokuhoku Line and Iiyama Line.
• Accessible by bus from Echigo-Yuzawa Station.

Address

新潟県中魚沼郡津南町 中深見1118 Map

Official site

shinkenzan.com

Read more about Ryūgen-ji Temple

Jigen-ji Temple, founded in the 7th or 9th century, offers historical buildings and cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shingon Buddhist temple, mountain name Funaoka-san.
• Dedicated to the main deity Shō Kannon Bosatsu.
• Founded in the late 7th century by Satmyo Daidoku.
• Alternatively, founded in 860 by Shinga.

What to see

• The main gate, a registered tangible cultural property.
• Funaoka Kannon-do and the main hall.
• Site of the 1868 Iwamura-Kawai meeting, a cultural property.
• Iwamura Takatoshi's autobiography draft, a cultural property.

Address

新潟県小千谷市平成2丁目3-35 Map

Official site

ojiya-jigenji.net

Read more about Jigen-ji Temple