20 Temples in Shimane worth your time

A historic Nara-period temple and former imperial residence famous for its ancient ritual dances and National Historic Site status.

What it is

• A Buddhist temple of the Toji Shingon sect founded by order of Emperor Shomu.
• The grounds are a National Historic Site dedicated to the deity Shaka Nyorai.
• This site served as a residence for Emperor Go-Daigo during the 14th century.
• The current main hall was rebuilt in 2014 following a fire in 2007.

What to see

• The reconstructed main hall which houses the primary deity.
• Designated ruins that are recognized as a Shimane Prefectural Historic Site.
• Traditional Renge-e Mai dances performed during the annual festival.

When to go

• April 21 to witness the annual Renge-e Mai folk cultural dance.

Getting there

• The temple is accessible by bus from Saigo Port.

Read more about Oki Kokubun-niji

A Jodo sect temple in Izumo featuring a historic burial mound and buildings dating back to the fifteenth century.

What it is

• A Jodo sect temple founded by Priest Eikyu in 1452.
• The temple is dedicated to the principal deity Amida Nyorai.
• It moved to its current location in the mid-seventeenth century.
• The site once served as a temporary elementary school in 1873.

What to see

• The Imaichi Dainenji Kofun burial mound located on the temple grounds.
• A main hall that was rebuilt in 1899 following a fire.
• The Kannon hall and an Inari shrine situated within the complex.
• The Gonenkai Hall which was completed in 1986.
• The room where Admiral Togo Heihachiro stayed during his 1907 visit.

Getting there

• A one-minute walk from Izumo Kagakukan-mae Station.
• A fifteen-minute walk from JR Izumoshi Station.

Read more about Dainen-ji Temple

Gessho-ji Temple is an ancestral temple with unique graves, including a giant stone tortoise and a tea whisk monument.

What it is

• Ancestral temple of the Matsudaira clan, who ruled Matsue.
• Originally an older Zen temple, now Jodo sect.
• Graves of nine Matsudaira lords of Matsue are located here.

What to see

• Nine Matsudaira lords' graves in large compounds.
• Ornate wooden gates and stone lanterns at grave compounds.
• Imposing Buddhist stone monuments as grave markers.
• Gigantic 5-meter stone tortoise with a stone tablet.
• Carvings of grapes on the wooden gate of Fumai's compound.
• Monument to tea whisks in Fumai's compound.

When to go

• April for the funeral ceremony for retired tea whisks.
• June for the 30,000 blooming hydrangea flowers.
• January through July for a variety of blooming flowers.

Address

島根県松江市外中原町 Map

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Gakuen-ji Temple is a historic Tendai temple with important cultural properties and scenic grounds.

What it is

• A Tendai sect temple founded by Chishun Shōnin.
• The 25th sacred site of the Chūgoku Kannon Pilgrimage.
• The 3rd sacred site of the Izumo Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Main deities are Senju Kannon Bosatsu and Yakushi Nyorai.

What to see

• Kondō Hall, built during the Mōri clan era.
• Bronze bell from 1183, an Important Cultural Property.
• Handwritten prayer by Emperor Go-Daigo, an Important Cultural Property.
• Temple grounds are a designated national historic site.
• Part of the Shinji-ko Hokuzan Prefectural Natural Park.

Address

島根県出雲市別所町148 Map

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Visit this historic temple on Oki Islands for its ancient roots and unique traditional dance.

What it is

• A Toji Shingon sect temple.
• Successor to the Oki Province Kokubun-soji Temple.
• Temple grounds are a National Historic Site.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1934.

What to see

• Main image is Shaka Nyorai.
• Main hall rebuilt in 2014.
• Temple grounds overlap former Kokubun-soji Temple site.
• Oki Kokubun-niji Temple ruins 500 meters southeast.

When to go

• Renge-e-mai dance held annually on April 21st.
• Renge-e-mai is a National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Address

島根県隠岐郡隠岐の島町池田風呂前5番地 Map

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A mountain chapel dedicated to martyrs and the Virgin Mary, with unique stained glass.

What it is

• A Christian chapel in Tsuwano Town, Shimane Prefecture.
• Dedicated to the Virgin Mary and 36 martyrs.
• Built in 1951, named for hidden Christian history.
• Commemorates 37 martyrs who died by 1870.

What to see

• Stained glass depicting the tragedy of the time.
• The mountain where the Virgin Mary appeared to believers.

When to go

• The Otometoge Festival is held annually on May 3rd.

Getting there

• Located in the mountains west of Tsuwano Station.

Official site

www.sun-net.jp

Read more about Otometoge Saint Mary's Chapel

Shingyoji Temple is a historic Jodo-shu Buddhist temple with graves of historical figures.

What it is

• It is a Jodo-shu Buddhist temple.
• Its formal name is Dokuruzan Shishinin Shingyoji.
• It was founded in the Keicho era.
• The main deity is Amida Nyorai.

What to see

• The cemetery contains graves of historical figures.
• There are Jizodo and Taishido halls.
• The current Taishido was built in 1877.
• A standing statue of Prince Shotoku at 16 is enshrined.

When to go

• Prince Shotoku Festival is held from July 22 to 25 annually.

Address

島根県松江市竪町88 Map

Official site

shingyouji.fun

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This Shingon Buddhist temple, originally on Mt. Sennoyama, is worth visiting for its historical significance to Iwami Ginzan.

What it is

• Shingon Buddhist temple.
• Founded in the latter half of the sixteenth century.
• Associated with Iwami Ginzan silver mine history.
• Originally located on Mt. Sennoyama.

What to see

• Main hall, repurposed in 1878.
• Gilded statue of Juichimen Kannon in the main hall.
• Lattice ceiling with samurai and merchant family emblems.
• Main gate, added in 1931.
• Stone statue of Fudo Myo-o guarding the gate.
• Stone statue of Bishamonten guarding the gate.

Address

清水町528番地 Map

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Ikō-ji Temple: a historic Rinzai Zen temple with a famous garden and relocated castle gate.

What it is

• Rinzai sect Tofukuji school temple.
• Principal image is Yakushi Nyorai.
• Predecessor, Sūkan-ji Temple, founded in 1363.

What to see

• Garden created by Sesshū.
• Garden is a national historic site and scenic spot.
• Main gate relocated from Nanao Castle.
• Main gate is a prefectural tangible cultural property.

Getting there

• Accessible by Iwami Kotsu bus.
• Accessible by Hiroshima Bus Center Shin-Hiroshima Line.

Address

島根県益田市染羽町4-29 Map

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Manpuku-ji Temple is a historic Jishu temple with a notable garden and important cultural properties.

What it is

• Jishu sect temple in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture.
• Founded in the Heian period.
• Revived in 1313 by the 4th generation Donkai.
• Relocated in 1374 by Masuda Kanemi.

What to see

• Sumeru-style garden, a National Historic Site.
• Main hall, built in 1374, an Important Cultural Property.
• Silk painting of Nigabyakudo, an Important Cultural Property.
• Wooden Amitabha Nyorai statue, a Prefectural Cultural Property.

Address

島根県益田市東町25-33 Map

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Enpuku-ji Temple, founded in 1558, offers a unique blend of Buddhist and Shinto worship.

What it is

• A Nichiren-shu temple, founded in 1558.
• Formal name is Tokozan Enpuku-ji.
• Established by Jishoin Nichikaku Shonin.
• Enshrines both Buddhist and Shinto deities.

What to see

• Daikoku Fukuju Ten is enshrined here.

When to go

• Monthly good fortune prayer festival.
• New Year's prayer meeting on January 1st.

Getting there

• 26-minute walk from JR Naoe Station.

Address

島根県出雲市斐川町名島765 Map

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Senju-in Temple is a historic site offering views of Matsue Castle and a beautiful weeping cherry tree.

What it is

• A Koyasan Shingon sect temple.
• Principal image is Senju Kannon.
• Relocated to protect Matsue Castle's northeast.
• Main hall and Fudō-dō rebuilt in 1816.

What to see

• Temple grounds are a green space preservation area.
• A weeping cherry tree is a city natural monument.
• Matsue Castle can be seen from the grounds.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Ishibashi Sanchome bus stop.

Address

松江市石橋町385 Map

Official site

www.senjyuin.com

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Yōmei-ji Temple is a historic Zen temple with important tombs, worth visiting for its cultural significance.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple.
• Founded in 1420 by Yoshimi Yorihira.
• Family temple of the Tsuwano domain lords.
• Flourished during the Edo period.

What to see

• Main hall, kuri, and bell tower are cultural properties.
• Temple grounds are a national historic site.
• The Kamei family tomb is on site.
• Mori Ōgai's tomb is located here.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Tsuwano Station.

Address

島根県鹿足郡津和野町後田ロ107 Map

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Shoyo-ji Temple: a historic temple with imperial connections and a notable ginkgo tree.

What it is

• A temple named by Emperor Go-Daigo in 1332.
• Originally called Urumibo, located on Akahageyama.
• Discontinued in 1869, restored in 1943.

What to see

• Wooden Jizo Bosatsu standing statue is the main image.
• Main image is a cultural property of Shimane Prefecture.
• Main image dates from late Kamakura to early Muromachi period.
• Large ginkgo tree is a natural monument of Chibu-mura.

Address

島根県隠岐郡知夫村知夫1540番地 Map

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Jofukuji is a restored Shingon temple housing a rare sutra and ancient Buddhist statues.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Toji-ha temple.
• Dedicated to the main deity Amida Nyorai.
• A pilgrimage site for Nishinoshima Sanjusan Kasho Reijo.
• Officially restored in 1893 after 1869 abolition.

What to see

• The current main hall, rebuilt in 1972.
• The Kyozo (sutra repository), established in 1960.
• The complete Daihannya Haramita Kyo sutra.
• Goryeo Buddhist statues.

Address

島根県隠岐郡西ノ島町浦郷296-6 Map

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Takano-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist site with beautiful azaleas, founded by Kukai in 814.

What it is

• Buddhist temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism.
• Founded in 814 by Kukai.
• 33rd sacred site of the Iwami Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Was a direct branch temple of Ninna-ji Temple.

What to see

• Temple buildings rebuilt in the late Edo period.
• 3,000 azalea bushes.

When to go

• Spring festival on May 5th.

Address

島根県大田市温泉津町井田ハ480 Map

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Ancient mountain temple with a unique natural monument, once an imperial prayer site.

What it is

• Shingon-Omuro school temple, founded in 756.
• Imperial prayer temple for Emperor Shōmu.
• Its mountain name is Kin'ganzan.
• Principal image is the Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva.

What to see

• Iwaya-ji no Kiriake, a national natural monument.
• Kiriake is a small canyon, 80m long.
• Canyon walls are 10-20m high.

Address

仁多郡奥出雲町中村1331 Map

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Tōkaku-ji Temple is a Sōtō Zen temple with unique graves and 500 Rakan statues.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple.
• Established by Choshun-in.
• Family temple of Horio Tadauji's second son, Kojiro.
• Moved to its current location in 1613.

What to see

• Kojiro's grave in gorintō style.
• Five hundred Rakan statues.
• Grave of Kiyohara Tahei.
• Grave of sinologist Takigawa Kametaro.

Address

島根県松江市奥谷町279 Map

Official site

toukakuji.jp

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Ichibata-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple known for eye healing.

What it is

• Buddhist temple in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture.
• Founded in 894 by a fisherman named Yoichi.
• Head temple of the Ichibata Yakushi religious organization.
• Known as the "Yakushi-sama of the Eyes."

What to see

• Temple grounds include a Shukubō (lodging) called Ichibata-zan Cottage.

Address

島根県出雲市小境町803 Map

Official site

ichibata.jp

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Rensho-ji Temple is a historic Nichiren temple rebuilt after fire, offering a glimpse into its past.

What it is

• A Nichiren sect temple.
• Founded by Honjakūin Nichigi.
• A hermitage was built in 1532.
• The current main hall was rebuilt in 1771.

What to see

• The main hall, rebuilt in 1771.

Address

島根県出雲市今市町487 Map

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