20 Temples in Ōita worth your time

Fuki-ji Temple's Ō-dō is Kyushu's oldest wooden structure, important for its Buddhist heritage.

What it is

• Fuki-ji Temple's Ō-dō main hall is a building of subdued beauty.
• Built in the late Heian period (794–1185).
• Dedicated to the Buddhist deity Amida.
• Oldest wooden structure still standing in Kyushu.

What to see

• Indentations in approach steps once held oil for illumination.
• Fearsome stone nio deities guard the main gate.
• Two large trees at the top of the steps: nutmeg and gingko.
• Graceful curves of the roof resemble a phoenix.
• 86-centimeter tall Amida statue made of nutmeg wood.
• Faded heavenly figures painted where walls meet the ceiling.

When to go

• Variety of trees surrounds the temple in beauty year-round.

Address

大分県豊後高田市大字蕗 Map

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Rakan-ji Temple is a Soto Zen temple built into caves, housing thousands of ancient stone Buddhas.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple.
• Head temple of Rakan-ji temples in Japan.
• Became Soto Zen in 1600.
• Dedicated to Zenkai, who excavated Ao-no-domon.

What to see

• Countless caves in the rock face.
• Main hall built into the caves.
• Over 3,700 stone Buddhas enshrined in caves.
• Oldest 500 Rakan in Japan are in Murokutsu.
• Stone Buddhas in Murokutsu are important cultural properties.
• Zenkai-do enshrines Zenkai.

Getting there

• Located on the middle of Mt. Rakan.
• Approach is part of the Kyushu Nature Trail.

Address

大分県中津市本耶馬渓町 Map

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Bussan-ji Temple is a historic Zen temple with a unique hidden Buddha, easily accessible from Yufuin Station.

What it is

• A Rinzai Zen temple, Myoshin-ji school.
• Founded between 964 and 968 by Shoku.
• Originally a base for Yufu-dake mountain worship.
• The mountain name is Ryugasan.

What to see

• The main image is a stone Yufu Reizan Kannon Bosatsu.
• The main image is a hidden Buddha, opened every 33 years.
• The Kannon-do enshrines the Yufu Reizan Kannon Bosatsu.
• The temple gate has a bell tower on its upper floor.
• The main hall was rebuilt after a 1994 fire.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Yufuin Station.

Address

大分県由布市湯布院町川上1879 Map

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Explore Bungo Kokubun-ji Temple, a historic Tendai temple with significant ruins and a rich past.

What it is

• A Tendai sect temple, re-established in 1675.
• Successor to the Bungo Province Kokubun-ji Temple.
• Dedicated to the main deity Yakushi Nyorai.
• Its mountain name is Iōzan.

What to see

• The main hall, completed in 1694.
• Yakushidō stands on the original Kondō site.
• Kannondō stands on the original pagoda site.
• Bungo Kokubun-ji Temple ruins are a National Historic Site.
• Excavations show the temple area was 183 by 300 meters.
• Original pagoda was a seven-story structure, 60 meters tall.

Address

大分県大分市国分972 Map

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This temple displays some of Japan's finest wooden Buddhist statues, including rare and large deities.

What it is

• Temple now called Maki Odo, built during the Edo period.
• Houses some of Japan's finest wooden Buddhist statues.
• Statues are Important Cultural Properties from 11th or 12th century.

What to see

• Treasure Hall with ancient wooden Buddhist statues.
• Seated Amida Nyorai guarded by four devas.
• Large standing Fudo Myo-o, one of Japan's largest.
• Daiitoku Myo-o riding a water buffalo.
• Walking garden with ancient stone monuments and statues.
• Stone stupas: kasa toba, gorinto, and Kunisaki-to.

Address

大分県豊後高田市田染真木1796 Map

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Ancient temple built into a cliff, offering hiking trails and a unique festival.

What it is

• Ancient wooden temple built into a cliff face.
• Founded in the Heian period (794–1185).
• Was a center for shugendo, ascetic Buddhist monk training.
• Shares space with a Shinto shrine.

What to see

• Temple built into a cliff wall.
• Buddhist Temple Lecture Hall.
• Shinto shrine behind a torii gate.
• Trails used by monks, now for hikers and pilgrims.

When to go

• Shujo Oni-e festival on the seventh day of the old calendar.
• Festival usually takes place in February.

Address

大分県豊後高田市長岩屋1152 Map

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Fuki-ji Temple is Kyushu's oldest wooden structure, built from a single nutmeg tree, housing an Amida Nyorai statue.

What it is

• Fuki-ji Temple's main hall was built in the late Heian period.
• It houses a statue of Amida Nyorai, a Buddhist deity.
• It is a National Treasure and Kyushu's oldest wooden structure.

What to see

• Main hall, built from nutmeg tree wood.
• Statue of Amida Nyorai inside the main hall.
• Sweeping roof designed to represent a phoenix.
• Fearsome nio guardians at the gate.
• Massive nutmeg and ginkgo trees at the steps.
• Faintly visible paintings of heavenly figures on interior walls.

Address

大分県豊後高田市田染字蕗2395 Map

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Mudoji Temple is a historic Tendai temple with 16 ancient Buddhist statues.

What it is

• A Tendai sect temple, founded by Takasu Horen Daikasho.
• One of the Rokugo Manzan temples, mountain name Iozan.
• Tenth temple of the Kunisaki Rokugo Manzan Pilgrimage.

What to see

• Main hall enshrines 16 wooden Buddhist statues.
• All statues are Oita Prefectural Tangible Cultural Properties.
• Current principal image is a seated Fudo Myoo statue.
• Temple is behind Mudoji Yaba, a National Scenic Beauty.
• Mumyo-bashi bridge is built on Mudoji Yaba.

Address

大分県豊後高田市黒土1475番地 Map

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Jōdo-ji Temple: a historic Jōdo-shū temple with cultural properties and a samurai grave.

What it is

• A temple of the Jōdo-shū Chinzei sect.
• Its main deity is Amida Nyorai.
• Known for the grave of Matsudaira Tadanao.

What to see

• The main hall, rebuilt in 1849.
• A large seven-bay main hall.
• The Kuri, a relocated shoin from Usuki Castle.
• Ippaku Kōbyō enshrines gravestones of Tadanao and Oran.
• Seven registered tangible cultural properties.

Getting there

• About a 10-minute walk from Nishi-Ōita Station.

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Kyosonji is a historic temple with seven buildings designated as cultural properties, worth visiting for its architecture.

What it is

• A Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha temple.
• Established in 1641.
• Assisted by Hosokawa Mitsunao, lord of Kumamoto Domain.
• Served as a resting place for domain lords.

What to see

• Seven buildings are Oita Prefectural Tangible Cultural Properties.
• The main hall is a cultural property.
• The kuri with entrance is a cultural property.
• The shoin is a cultural property.
• The goten is a cultural property.
• The kyozō is a cultural property.

Address

大分県大分市大字本神崎864 Map

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Eifuku-ji Temple is a Jishu Buddhist temple linked to Kannawa Onsen's origin.

What it is

• A Jishu Buddhist temple.
• Associated with Kannawa Onsen's founding legend.
• Rebuilt in 1891.
• Only Jishu temple in Oita Prefecture.

What to see

• Plaque: 'Japan's First Steamed Bath Founder'.
• Scroll of 'Yugyo Shonin-e' (Volume 7).
• Scroll is an Important Cultural Property.
• Enshrined Amida Nyorai standing statue.
• Seated statue of Ippen Shonin.

When to go

• Venue for the Kannawa Yuami Festival.

Address

大分県別府市風呂本1番地 Map

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Ankoku-ji Temple is a historic Rinzai Zen temple with important statues, rebuilt after a fire.

What it is

• One of 68 Ankoku-ji temples built by Ashikaga Takauji.
• Established in 1394 as the 68th temple.
• Belongs to the Rinzai sect Myoshin-ji school.
• Rebuilt during the Meiji period after a fire.

What to see

• Seated statue of Ashikaga Takauji.
• This statue is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Standing statue of Jizo Bosatsu, also called Enmei Jizo.
• This Jizo statue is a Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.

Address

大分県国東市国東町安国寺2245 Map

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Jinkaku-ji Temple, a historic mountain temple, offers important cultural properties and rhododendron gardens.

What it is

• A temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect.
• Main deity is the Eleven-faced, Thousand-armed Kannon.
• Also known as Rhododendron Temple.
• One of Bungo's three great temples.

What to see

• Main hall, built in 1369, is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Wooden Kongo Rikishi statues from early Kamakura period.
• About 500 rhododendron trees on the grounds.
• Located within a Prefectural Natural Park.

Address

大分県豊後大野市朝地町鳥田1354 Map

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An ancient Tendai Buddhist temple in Oita featuring a historic Kunisaki pagoda and ties to the Rokugo Manzan religious complex.

What it is

• A Tendai Buddhist temple located in Hiji, Oita Prefecture.
• Established between 717 and 724 by the monk Ninmon.
• Dedicated to the main deity Myoken Bosatsu.
• Historically part of the influential Rokugo Manzan temple complex.

What to see

• A traditional Kunisaki pagoda designated as an Oita Prefectural Cultural Property.
• The temple grounds situated on the mountain known as Sekishozan.

Read more about Ganjōju-ji Temple

Fukō-ji Temple, or Hydrangea Temple, is a historic site with unique rock-carved Buddhas.

What it is

• A temple of the Kōyasan Shingon sect.
• Founded by Nichira, who served the king of Baekje.
• One of seven temples Nichira founded in Bungo Province.
• Known as Hydrangea Temple.

What to see

• The principal image is Dainichi Nyorai.
• Fukō-ji Magaibutsu are rock-carved Buddhas.
• Hydrangeas are a prominent feature.

When to go

• Visit when hydrangeas are in bloom.

Address

大分県豊後大野市朝地町上尾塚1225 Map

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Ancient Tendai temple on a mountainside, part of two pilgrimages, with unique stone statues.

What it is

• Tendai sect temple, founded in 718 by Ninmon Bosatsu.
• Main deity is Amida Nyorai.
• Central temple of Rokugo Manzan, highest prayer place for Kitsuki Domain.
• Part of Kyushu Saigoku 33 Kannon and Kunisaki Rokugo Manzan pilgrimages.

What to see

• Stone Kongo Rikishi statues guard the gate.
• Temple grounds within Setonaikai National Park.
• Located on the hillside of Mount Futago.

Address

大分県国東市安岐町両子1548 Map

Official site

www.futagoji.jp

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Monjusen-ji Temple is an ancient Tendai temple, home to a rare Buddha statue and scenic natural beauty.

What it is

• A Tendai sect temple.
• Founded in 648 by En no Gyōja.
• One of Japan's Three Monju temples.
• Claims to be the origin of "Monju's wisdom."

What to see

• A 30cm gilt bronze Monju Bosatsu statue.
• The natural forest, a designated natural monument.
• Monju Yaba, a designated national scenic spot.

When to go

• Main deity opened to the public every 12 years.

Address

大分県国東市国東町大恩寺2432 Map

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Ryugenji is a historic Buddhist temple with a unique dragon legend and an impressive Edo-period pagoda.

What it is

• A Jodo-shu Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1600 by Inaba Sadamichi.
• A branch temple of Chion-in.
• Known for a legend about a dragon.

What to see

• Temple treasures: a dragon's orb, scales, and claws.
• Three-story wooden pagoda, completed in 1858.
• Pagoda also called Taishi-to.
• Statue of Prince Shotoku housed in the pagoda.
• Edo-period pagoda is a tangible cultural property.

Address

大分県臼杵市平清水134番地の1 Map

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Deusu-dō was Japan's first Christian church, a historic site marking early Western influence.

What it is

• Japan's first Christian church, built in June 1553.
• Also known as Daiusu-dō, Kentoku-ji, or Funai Church.
• Portuguese name was Nossa Senhora da Piedade.
• Founded after Francis Xavier allowed missionary work in Funai.

What to see

• A monument marks the estimated site of the church.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from JR Kyushu Oita Station.

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Iwatō-ji is a historic Tendai temple, home to Japan's oldest round-carved Nio statue.

What it is

• A Tendai sect temple.
• Founded in 718 by Nimon Bosatsu.
• Designated an Ōita Prefecture historic site in 1979.
• A former head temple of Rokugō Manzan.

What to see

• Japan's oldest round-carved Nio statue, from 1478.
• A 3.3-meter Kunisaki Pagoda, inscribed in 1283.
• The pagoda is a National Important Cultural Property.
• The main image is a Yakushi Nyorai statue.

Address

大分県国東市国東町岩戸寺1232番地 Map

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