20 Temples in Saga worth your time

A Nara-period temple site in Saga City where visitors can explore the foundations of an ancient Buddhist nunnery and monastery.

What it is

• A designated historic site founded during the Nara period by order of Emperor Shomu.
• The former location of a provincial monastery and an adjacent nunnery.
• An ancient religious complex that declined between the Nanboku-cho and Muromachi periods.
• A protected archaeological area officially designated by Saga City in 1990.

What to see

• The original temple grounds measuring approximately 216 meters square.
• The nunnery site located to the west of the main temple area.
• Archaeological footprints of the Middle Gate, Golden Hall, and Lecture Hall.
• The site where a seven-story pagoda once stood southeast of the Golden Hall.
• Remains of four tile kilns discovered on the eastern side of the temple.
• The historic layout preserved within a modern residential area.

Read more about Hizen Kokubun-niji

A historic Tendai temple in Saga known for its sacred water ritual and ancient stone pagoda dating back to 1319.

What it is

• A Tendai Buddhist temple reportedly founded during the reign of Emperor Shomu.
• The 38th site of the Kyushu 49 Yakushi Pilgrimage.
• Rebuilt during the Keicho era after being burned down in 1574.
• The inner sanctuary is commonly referred to as Mizudo-san.

What to see

• A wooden standing statue of Sho-Kannon serving as the main deity.
• A stone pagoda from 1319 designated as a town cultural property.
• Sacred water that emerges during specific ritual periods.

When to go

• The Demizu Hoyo ritual takes place annually during the summer.
• The sacred water ritual lasts for a period of 90 days.

Getting there

• Accessible via a 10-minute taxi ride from Hizen-Shiroishi Station.

Read more about Anpuku-ji Temple (Shiroishi)

Daikōzen-ji Temple, founded by Gyoki, is a Tendai temple known for its azaleas and statues.

What it is

• A Tendai sect Buddhist temple.
• Founded by the monk Gyoki.
• Restored during the Heian period by Ennin.
• Also known as 'Azalea Temple'.

What to see

• The main hall, rebuilt in 1542.
• Principal image: an Eleven-faced Kannon statue.
• Two wooden statues of Komokuten and Tamonten.
• The temple grounds are famous for azaleas.

When to go

• Principal image is shown every 12 years in the Year of the Horse.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Kiyama Station.

Address

佐賀県三養基郡基山町大字園部 Map

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Fumyoji is a historic Buddhist temple with 17 buildings and the graves of Kashima lords.

What it is

• A Buddhist temple of the Obaku school.
• Founded in 1677 by Keigan Myodo.
• Established by Nabeshima Naotaka.
• Family temple of the Kashima Domain lords.

What to see

• The main object of worship is the Shaka Sanzon.
• Temple grounds cover approximately 10,000 tsubo.
• Seventeen buildings, including a main hall and bell tower.
• Graves of successive Kashima lords are behind the main hall.
• Bronze seated Bodhisattva statue is a cultural property.
• Temple and grounds are a city-designated historic site.

Address

佐賀県鹿島市古枝甲2346 Map

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Sangakuji Temple offers a glimpse into centuries of Buddhist art and history.

What it is

• A Rinzai sect temple in Ogi City, Saga Prefecture.
• Originally a Tendai sect temple named Mitsuji.
• Founded by Priest Daichi during the Einin era (1293-1298).

What to see

• Kanshitsu Genkitsu Portrait, a cultural property.
• Wooden seated statues of Yakushi Nyorai, Dainichi Nyorai.
• Wooden seated statue of Eleven-faced Kannon Bosatsu.
• These wooden statues date to the late Kamakura period.
• Zasen (sitting mat) made from Indian quilted embroidery.
• Sangakuji Documents, spanning from 1294 to 1811.

Address

佐賀県小城市小城町池上3670番地 Map

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Visit this temple to see historic buildings, unique pagodas, and a vibrant winter festival.

What it is

• A Shingon-Omuro sect temple.
• Dedicated to its principal image, Senju Kannon.

What to see

• Kannon-do and Hiraibo buildings, rebuilt in early Edo period.
• Two 2.2-meter stone three-storied pagodas.
• Pagodas date to the mid-Kamakura period.
• Pagodas are Prefectural Important Cultural Properties.

When to go

• Early January for the Shushoue Oni Matsuri.
• Festival is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.
• Dojimai dance is performed at the festival.

Address

佐賀県藤津郡太良町大浦甲竹崎248番地 Map

Official site

buddhist-temple-2935.business.site

Read more about Takezakikanzeon-ji Temple

Iō-ji Temple is a historic Zen temple with important cultural properties and a 450-year-old cedar.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple founded in 1383.
• Principal image is Yakushi Nyorai.
• 41st temple of the Kyushu 49 Yakushi Pilgrimage.
• Founded by Muchaku Myōyū and Hata Awano Kami Minamoto Take.

What to see

• Main hall is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Temple gate is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• 450-year-old cedar tree near the gate.
• Wooden standing Yakushi Nyorai statue.
• Hizen bell is a Saga Prefectural Cultural Property.

Address

佐賀県唐津市相知町黒岩183 Map

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Joshō-in is a historic Nichiren Buddhist temple, family temple of the Ishii clan, with ties to the Nabeshima clan.

What it is

• Nichiren Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1429 by Ishii Echigo-no-kami Tadakuni.
• Family temple of the Ishii clan.
• Prayer temple of the Nabeshima clan.

What to see

• Temple grounds are former site of Iimori Castle.
• Main hall has Nabeshima and Ishii family crests.
• Graves of Ishii Tsune'en and Ishii Ryōichi.
• Ishii family tree is a temple treasure.

Getting there

• 30-minute bus ride from JR Saga Station.

Address

佐賀県佐賀市本庄町鹿子1206番地3 Map

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Kōden-ji Temple is a historic Zen temple with significant cultural properties and beautiful plum blossoms.

What it is

• Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1552 by Nabeshima Kiyofusa.
• Family temple of the Nabeshima clan of Saga Domain.

What to see

• Shakado Hall, a cultural property.
• Large Nirvana painting from 1706.
• Goihaisho Hall, built in 1896.
• Wooden seated statue of Nabeshima Tadanao.
• Graves of Ryūzōji Takanobu and Saga Domain lords.
• A 400-year-old plum tree.

When to go

• Known for its plum blossoms.

Address

佐賀県佐賀市本庄町大字本庄1112番地1 Map

Official site

www.koudenji.com

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Niiyama Jizō-in Temple is an ancient Tendai temple with a rich history and cultural treasures.

What it is

• A Tendai sect temple founded in 729 by Gyōki.
• Main image is a Senju Kannon.
• One of thirty-six temples called Niiyama Gokoku-ji.
• 20th temple of the Kyushu Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• The 175 cm tall Senju Kannon statue.
• Rokujizō stone pagoda, dating to 1517.
• Niōmon gate, a cultural property of Kanzaki City.
• Filming location for the TV drama Suna no Utsuwa.

Address

佐賀県神埼市神埼町的1688 Map

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Jomanji Temple offers a glimpse into local history and a tranquil escape.

What it is

• Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded by Hiromatsu Gennojo Shigemasa.
• Became a Honganji-ha temple in 1633.
• Principal image is Amida Nyorai.

What to see

• Main hall, rebuilt in 1905.
• Ossuary, completed in 1968.
• Monto Kaikan (parishioners' hall), built in 1987.
• Stone pillar marks former Tsuboue Elementary School.
• Large camphor tree, approximately 200 years old.

Address

佐賀県佐賀市高木瀬町長瀬909-1 Map

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Explore Ryosen-ji Temple ruins, Japan's first tea cultivation site, for historical and cultural insights.

What it is

• Temple ruins in Yoshinogari Town, Saga Prefecture.
• Founded as a training ground for mountain Buddhism.
• Existed from early 8th century to Edo period.
• Re-established during Edo period with Nabeshima family support.

What to see

• Otogohodo hall is the only existing structure.
• Sutra mound dates to 1145.

When to go

• Tea was first cultivated here in 1191.

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Japan's oldest Confucius Temple, a National Important Cultural Property, built to promote education.

What it is

• A Confucius Temple, the oldest in Japan.
• Built in 1708 by Takushigebumi.
• Constructed to promote education.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1921.

What to see

• The current temple building, Kyoan-den.
• A Confucius statue enshrined in the lecture hall.
• Copper roof, changed from tile in 1907.
• Recognized as a National Important Cultural Property.

Read more about Taku Seibyō

A Nichiren Buddhist temple in Kyushu, known for Daruma prayers and historical artifacts.

What it is

• A Nichiren Buddhist temple.
• Founded by Chikanbo Nissho in the Enbun era.
• Rebuilt in 1626 by Yotai-in.
• Known as Hirai no Kishimojin-sama.

What to see

• The current main hall, built in 1979.
• A letter from Jogyoin Nichiyu Shonin.
• A statue of Shakyamuni.

When to go

• The only temple in Kyushu offering Daruma prayers.

Address

佐賀県小城市三日月町久米1195番地 Map

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Kōshō-ji is a historic Nichiren temple with significant architecture, founded in 1317.

What it is

• A head temple of the Nichiren sect.
• Founded in 1317 by Chiba Taneda.
• Also known as Chinzei Honzan.

What to see

• The main hall, rebuilt during the Kan'en era.
• The Shinshido, donated by the Ishii clan.
• The Somon, a main gate.
• The Niomon, rebuilt in 1864.

Getting there

• A 30-minute walk from Ogi Station.

Address

佐賀県小城市小城町松尾4421 Map

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Entsū-ji Temple is Ogi City's oldest temple, housing ancient statues and historical documents.

What it is

• Rinzai sect Buddhist temple.
• Oldest temple in Ogi City, founded in 650 AD.
• Became a Zen temple in 1278.
• Ancestral temple of the Kyushu Chiba clan.

What to see

• Wooden standing statues of Jikokuten and Tamonten.
• Statues were made in 1294.
• Thirteen historical documents.
• Letters from Emperor Go-Daigo are among the documents.

Address

佐賀県小城市小城町松尾3832 Map

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Shomyoji Temple is a historic Nichiren Buddhist temple with a rare Nichiren-handwritten mandala.

What it is

• A Nichiren Buddhist temple founded in 1366 by Nichigen.
• Its mountain name is Ryuo-zan.
• Houses the graves of the Nakano family.

What to see

• A Great Mandala Gohonzon handwritten by Nichiren.
• The Hizen Shinsho bell, a city cultural property.
• Stone gate calligraphy by Nakabayashi Gochiku.
• The current main hall, built in 1929.

Address

佐賀県小城市三日月町織島3415 Map

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Hontsu-ji is a historic Nichiren Buddhist temple, founded in 1462, with significant ties to the Ishii clan.

What it is

• A Nichiren Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1462 by Chiba Tanetoshi.
• Family temple of the Ishii clan.
• Rebuilt by Ishii Ikeda, who became chief priest.

What to see

• Graves of Ishii Ikeda and other clan members.

Getting there

• Bus from Saga Station Bus Center.
• Nearest bus stop is Higashi-Takagi.

Address

佐賀県佐賀市 高木瀬東3丁目12番25号 Map

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Danjō-in Temple is a historic Shingon temple, founded in 1405, with important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shingi Shingon sect grand head temple.
• Founded in 1405 by Josho.
• Built at the birthplace of Kōgyō Daishi Kakuban.
• Ashikaga Yoshimitsu initiated its founding.

What to see

• Principal image is Kirisan Migawari Fudo Myoo.
• Painting of Monju Bosatsu riding a lion.
• Painting is a designated cultural property.

Address

佐賀県鹿島市大字納富分2011 Map

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Ryūtai-ji Temple is a historic Sōtō Zen temple, family temple to powerful clans.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1565 by Ryūzōji Takanobu.
• Family temple of the Ryūzōji and Murata clans.
• Family temple of the Ōkuma Shigenobu family.

What to see

• Graves of the Murata clan.
• Grave of Ōkuma Shigenobu.

Getting there

• 12-minute bus ride from Saga Station.

Address

佐賀県佐賀市赤松町 Map

Official site

ryutaizi.com

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