15 Temples in Okinawa worth your time

A historic Shingon Buddhist temple in Naha that manages a relocated shrine and was rebuilt after the Battle of Okinawa.

What it is

• A Shingon Buddhist temple founded by Zen Master Tokkai between 1465 and 1487.
• The temple originally belonged to the Rinzai school before converting in 1671.
• It serves as the administrator for the Ameku-gu Shrine located on the same site.
• The current structure was rebuilt in 1958 after being destroyed in 1945.

What to see

• The reconstructed temple buildings dating back to the post-war era.
• The Ameku-gu Shrine which was relocated to this specific site in 1734.

Getting there

• The temple is an eight minute walk from the Kaminoya bus stop.

Read more about Seigen-ji Temple

Enkakuji was a Buddhist temple, important for its cultural connections and unique architectural blend.

What it is

• Buddhist temple founded by King Sho Shin in 1492.
• Family temple of the Second Sho Dynasty.
• Head temple of the Rinzai Zen Buddhist sect in the kingdom.
• First major Buddhist temple erected in Ryukyu.

What to see

• Current Somon outer gate, reconstructed in 1968.
• Compact site, steeply terraced and enclosed by high stone walls.
• Faces west towards Enkanchi Pond and Bezaitendo hall.
• Stone-walled courtyard with a rectangular lotus pond (Hoshoike).
• Delicately carved Chinese-style stone bridge (Hoshokyo).
• Steep stone staircase to the former Sanmon Gate location.

Read more about Enkaku-ji

Explore the historic ruins of Sōgen-ji, the former royal mausoleum of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

What it is

• A Rinzai Buddhist temple in Naha, Okinawa Prefecture.
• The national mausoleum of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
• Founded around 1527.
• Enshrined spirits of successive Ryukyuan kings.

What to see

• The restored stone gate, designated an important cultural property.
• The former Sōgen-ji First Gate, built before 1527.
• The Sōgen-ji Shimoumahi, a dismounting stone monument.
• The temple site, designated a national historic site.

When to go

• The temple site was designated a national historic site on September 18, 2025.

Read more about Sōgen-ji

Oldest Buddhist temple in Yaeyama Islands, with significant historical statues and artifacts.

What it is

• Rinzai sect temple in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture.
• Founded in 1614 by King Shō Nei.
• Oldest Buddhist temple in the Yaeyama Islands.
• Main deity is Kannon Bodhisattva.

What to see

• Gongendō Hall, built adjacent to the temple.
• Bronze mirror in Gongendō Hall, cast in 1772.
• Oldest cast bronze mirror in Okinawa Prefecture.
• Tōrin-ji Niō statues, created in 1737.
• Oldest existing wooden sculptures in Okinawa Prefecture.

Address

沖縄県石垣市石垣285 Map

Read more about Tōrin-ji Temple

Okinawa's Confucian temple, rebuilt after war, offers a glimpse into historical and cultural ties.

What it is

• Confucius Temple in Naha, Okinawa.
• Established in 1676 by Kume 36 families.
• Destroyed in 1945, rebuilt in 1975.
• Maintained by the Kume Sōseikai.

What to see

• Confucius and four sages enshrined.
• Daiseiden is the main hall.
• Meirindō and Tensonbyō are also on site.
• Confucius statue donated by Chiang Kai-shek.

Getting there

• Located within Matsuyama Park in Kume, Naha City.

Official site

kumesouseikai.or.jp

Read more about Shiseibyō

Japan's southernmost temple, Kihō-in offers a unique look at local Okinawan folk culture.

What it is

• Japan's southernmost Jōdo Shinshū Honganji-ha temple.
• It was founded in 1957.
• The first chief priest was Toru Uesedo.

What to see

• Kihō-in Shūshūkan museum is attached to the temple.
• The museum opened in 1963.
• It exhibits about 4,000 items of folk art and daily necessities.
• 842 items are registered tangible folk cultural properties.
• The museum has valuable materials like dialect tags.

Address

沖縄県八重山郡竹富町字竹富109 Map

Read more about Kihō-in Temple

A 16th-century temple in Okinawa, featuring a rare wooden building and a unique stalactite cave.

What it is

• A temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect.
• Founded in the 16th century by Nisshu Shonin.
• Principal image is Sho Kannon.
• Current building rebuilt in 1942.

What to see

• Rare wooden building from before the war.
• Main hall is a Kin Town cultural property.
• Fukugi trees are a Kin Town cultural property.
• Kin Stalactite Cave is a national monument.

Address

沖縄県国頭郡金武町字金武222番地 Map

Read more about Kin Kannon-ji Temple

Jingū-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in Okinawa, founded in the 15th century.

What it is

• A Tōji Shingon sect Buddhist temple.
• Founded in the mid-15th century.
• King Shō Taikyū ordered its creation as a prayer place.
• Was a resting place during inspections from Shuri.

What to see

• The principal image is Shō Kannon Bosatsu.

Getting there

• Take a route bus to Futenma bus stop.
• Accessible by taxi.

Address

沖縄県宜野湾市普天間1-27-11 Map

Official site

futenma-jinguji.com

Read more about Jingū-ji Temple

Daiten-ji Temple is a historic Jodo Shinshu temple in Naha, rebuilt after WWII, worth visiting for its resilience.

What it is

• A Jodo Shinshu Honganji school temple.
• Founded in 1910 by Shinkyo Kan.
• Initially established as a missionary center.
• Renamed Daiten-ji Temple in 1918.

What to see

• The temple was rebuilt in 1960 after war damage.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Kenchomae Station.

Address

沖縄県那覇市松山1-9-1 Map

Read more about Daiten-ji Temple

Okinawa's oldest temple, founded in 1368, rebuilt after WWII, with a unique history.

What it is

• Oldest existing temple in Okinawa.
• Founded in 1368.
• Belongs to the Koyasan Shingon sect.
• Served as an imperial temple for Ryukyuan kings.

What to see

• Principal image is Sho Kannon Bosatsu.
• Monument for Dr. Bettelheim on the grounds.

Address

沖縄県那覇市若狭1-25-5 Map

Official site

w1.nirai.ne.jp

Read more about Gokoku-ji Temple

Rinkai-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple in Naha, rebuilt after the war.

What it is

• A Toji Shingon sect Buddhist temple.
• Originally located on the embankment to Mie Castle.
• Served as a temporary lodging for foreigners.
• Rebuilt after severe damage in 1945.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from the Ameku bus stop.

Address

沖縄県那覇市曙1-18-19 Map

Read more about Rinkai-ji Temple

Hawaii's largest Buddhist temple, a significant historical and cultural landmark.

What it is

• A Buddhist temple in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
• Base temple for the Hawaii missionary district.
• Belongs to Japan's Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha.
• Hawaii's largest Buddhist denomination.

What to see

• Main hall, completed in 1899.

Read more about Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii

Shinkyoji is a Shinshu Otani-ha temple in Naha, rebuilt after the war, an 11-minute walk from Asahibashi Station.

What it is

• A Shinshu Otani-ha temple.
• Founded in 1884 by Tahara Hosui.
• Renamed Shinkyoji in 1892.
• Rebuilt in 1972 after war destruction.

Getting there

• 11-minute walk from Asahibashi Station.

Address

沖縄県那覇市西2-5−21 Map

Read more about Shinkyō-ji Temple

A Rinzai Zen temple with a dry landscape garden, founded in 1613.

What it is

• A Rinzai sect Myoshin-ji school temple.
• Founded in 1613 by Kaō Shūkō.
• Temporarily enshrined 5,000 war dead from the Battle of Okinawa.

What to see

• A karesansui garden.

Address

沖縄県那覇市首里当蔵町3-4-1 Map

Read more about Banshō-in Temple

Taichū-ji Temple is a rebuilt Buddhist temple, a peaceful stop near a station.

What it is

• A Jōdo-shū Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1937 by Yoshisai Nobukegahara.
• Destroyed in 1945, rebuilt in 1975.

Getting there

• 14-minute walk from Oroku Station.

Address

沖縄県那覇市小禄692 Map

Read more about Taichū-ji Temple