20 Temples in Tochigi worth your time

A historic cliffside Buddhist carving and pilgrimage site featuring Edo-period stonework and a scenic mountain staircase in Utsunomiya.

What it is

• A Buddhist cliff carving located on the former grounds of Fumon-san Renge-ji Temple.
• The final 33rd site of the Shimotsuke 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
• A designated Japan Heritage cultural property and Utsunomiya Citizen's Heritage.
• The original temple was abolished during the early Meiji period.

What to see

• Statues of Bato Kannon and Jizo Bosatsu carved into a cliff cave.
• A stone staircase made of local Oya stone leading up the mountain.
• Figures carved by local stonemasons during the late Edo period.
• A community center standing where the temple main hall once was.

Getting there

• A 15-minute walk from the Nirazuka bus stop.
• A small parking lot for approximately five cars is available on-site.

Read more about Iwamoto Kannon

A Tendai Buddhist temple in Nikko featuring a unique pyramid monument dedicated to miners and a former abandoned village.

What it is

• A branch temple of Rinno-ji dedicated to the Amida Nyorai Buddha.
• Founded on the mountain Akakurayama and reportedly restored by Jikaku Daishi in 838.
• The current main hall dates to 1895 after a fire destroyed the original structures.
• The grounds serve as a memorial site for migrant miners and the abandoned Matsuki Village.

What to see

• The main hall rebuilt in 1895 and a bell tower established in 1915.
• A pyramid-shaped monument containing gravestones from the former Matsuki Village.
• The Miner's Grave which is a city-designated cultural property.
• A memorial tower dedicated to the memory of migrant miners.

Getting there

• The temple is accessible on foot from Mato Station.

Read more about Ryūzō-ji Temple

A historic Shingon Buddhist temple in Kanuma City featuring ancient architecture and a massive 800-year-old tree.

What it is

• A temple of the Buzan school of Shingon Buddhism known as Higashi-Koyasan.
• Founded in 765 by Shodo Shonin or in 809 by Kukai.
• The main deity is a statue of Yakshi Nyorai.
• The surrounding area is a designated Green Environment Conservation Area.

What to see

• The Golden Hall, which is a Tochigi Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property.
• A Karamon gate designated as a prefectural cultural property.
• An ancient kaya tree estimated to be approximately 800 years old.
• Historical structures rebuilt after a fire in the mid-17th century.

Getting there

• The temple is a 15-minute drive from the Tsuga Interchange.

Official site

iou-ji.jp

Read more about Iō-ji Temple

A historic Shingon temple in Tochigi that served as a prestigious rest stop for Tokugawa Shoguns and Emperor Meiji.

What it is

• A Shingon Chisan sect temple founded by the monk Eun in 781
• The temple was moved to its current site by Tako Mitsutomo in 1502
• It served as a rest stop for Tokugawa Shoguns and Emperor Meiji
• The temple is dedicated to a wooden seated statue of Amida Nyorai

What to see

• A wooden seated statue of Amida Nyorai designated as a prefectural cultural property
• A historic tea kettle featuring the Tokugawa family crest
• The temple bell which dates back to 1758
• A palace built in 1649 specifically for the Shogun to use

Getting there

• The temple is a five minute walk from Ishibashi Station

Official site

www.kaiunji.jp

Read more about Kaiun-ji Temple

A historic Zen temple built on former castle grounds featuring ancient pine trees and the Oyama clan's ancestral tombs.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple founded in 1155 by Oyama Masamitsu.
• The family mortuary temple for the Oyama clan located in Oyama City.
• The temple occupies the former site of Gion Castle.
• The grounds cover a vast area of approximately fifteen thousand tsubo.

What to see

• Remnants of the original castle earthworks and dry moats.
• A four-hundred-year-old Japanese umbrella pine designated as a natural monument.
• Seven stone stupas belonging to the Oyama clan in the cemetery.
• Sixty-nine stone tablets designated as city cultural properties.
• A portrait of Baishi Shoetsu held within the temple collection.

Read more about Tennō-in Temple

Hōrin-ji Temple, founded in 860, offers historical artifacts and a scenic walk.

What it is

• Tendai sect temple, founded in 860.
• Established by Jikaku Daishi Ennin.
• Restored in 1636 by Benkai.
• Divided into Kōmaruyama and Shōgakuzan sections.

What to see

• Shaka Sanzon is the main deity of Shōgakuzan.
• Dainichi Nyorai is the main deity of Kōmaruyama.
• Several Tochigi Prefecture Tangible Cultural Properties.
• Several Ōtawara City Tangible Cultural Properties.
• Saigyōzakura is an Ōtawara City Natural Monument.

When to go

• Portable shrine procession on November 3.

Getting there

• 4-minute walk from the Sarado bus stop.

Address

栃木県大田原市佐良土1401 Map

Official site

www.koumarusan-hourinji.com

Read more about Hōrin-ji Temple

A historic Soto Zen temple in Utsunomiya featuring an 18th-century main hall and graves of notable Confucian scholars.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple founded in 1608 by Okudaira Iemasa.
• The temple is dedicated to the main deity Shakyamuni Nyorai.
• The first head priest was the youngest son of Imagawa Yoshimoto.
• The temple moved to its current location in 1619.

What to see

• The main hall which was rebuilt in 1721.
• A Koyasu Jizo statue located on the temple grounds.
• Graves of the Okudaira family vassals and Confucian scholars.
• The burial site of scholars Nagasawa Suian and Nagasawa Rakuro.

Getting there

• A ten minute walk from Minami-Utsunomiya Station.

Read more about Daiyou-ji Temple

This temple, built by Shodo, houses the oldest surviving statue in Nikko, a six-meter Kannon.

What it is

• One of the oldest temples in Nikko, founded in 784 CE.
• An affiliate temple of Rinnoji Temple.
• Dedicated to the Tachiki Kannon, a six-meter wooden statue.
• Originally a place for ascetic practice.

What to see

• Tachiki Kannon: six-meter wooden statue of Senju Kannon.
• Niomon Gate: large red gate with Nio guardian deities.
• Hashiri Daikokutendo Hall: enshrines the Running Daikokuten.
• Hondo Main Hall: enshrines the Tachiki Kannon statue.
• Godaido Hall: enshrines statues of the five wisdom kings.
• Godaido Hall: ceiling decorated with a magnificent dragon painting.

Address

栃木県日光市中宮祠2482 Map

Official site

www.rinnoji.or.jp

Read more about Chūzen-ji Temple

A historic Shingon sect temple founded in 1196 that served as a resting place for shoguns traveling to Nikko.

What it is

• A Shingon Chisan sect temple located in Shimotsuke City.
• Founded in 1196 by Nitta Yoshikane and later restored in 1401.
• Served as a resting place for shoguns during their pilgrimages to Nikko.
• Maintained a close official relationship with the Tokugawa Shogunate throughout its history.

What to see

• The site where a dedicated shogun palace and gate once stood.
• Historical grounds of a temple rebuilt after Shogunate structures were destroyed by fire.

Getting there

• The temple is a sixteen minute walk from Koganei Station.

Read more about Jigen-ji Temple

A historic Rinzai sect temple in Sano City featuring the grave of a famous samurai from the Hachinoki legend.

What it is

• A Rinzai Kencho-ji sect temple founded by Chikai Hoin between 770 and 781.
• The site was officially established as a temple from 806 to 810.
• Fujiwara no Hidesato restored the temple during the Tenkyo era.
• Converted from the Tendai sect to Rinzai during the 1380s under Koten Zenji.

What to see

• The grave of Sano Genzaemon Tsuneyo is located on the temple grounds.
• Historical markers related to Tsuneyo and the famous Hachinoki bonsai story.

Getting there

• The temple is a twenty-eight minute walk from Kuzu Station.

Read more about Ganjō-ji Temple

A 16th-century Soto Zen temple in Moka featuring a historic gate and monuments dedicated to local historical figures.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple founded in 1510 in Moka, Tochigi Prefecture.
• The former family temple for the prominent Haga clan.
• A site housing historical documents designated as prefectural cultural properties.

What to see

• The mountain gate built in 1806 featuring unique Oya stone roof tiles.
• A monument erected by eighteen local villages to honor magistrate Takegaki Naonobu.
• A designated portrait of Haga Zenka kept within the temple grounds.

Getting there

• The temple is an eight-minute walk from Moka Station.

Read more about Kaichō-ji Temple

Explore a historic temple with unique statues and pagodas, a successor to an ancient provincial temple.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Buzan-ha temple.
• Its mountain name is Rurikozan, temple name Anyoin.
• The principal image is Dainichi Nyorai.
• Successor temple to the original Shimotsuke Kokubun-ji.

What to see

• Seated Shaka Nyorai statue in Shakado Hall.
• Shaka Nyorai statue is a city-designated cultural property.
• Three Gorinto (five-ring pagodas) on the grounds.
• Gorinto are city-designated cultural properties.

Getting there

• About 3.5 kilometers from Koganei Station.
• Rent-a-cycles are available at Koganei Station.

Address

栃木県下野市国分寺1541 Map

Read more about Shimotsuke Kokubun-ji Temple

A 15th-century Jodo sect temple in Tochigi featuring historic guardian statues and the grave of author Yuzo Yamamoto.

What it is

• A Jodo sect Buddhist temple founded by Priest Ryokai in 1421
• The site served as the official time bell station for Tochigi-shuku
• Lodging facilities here once functioned as a substitute for a sub-honjin
• The temple moved to its current location in 1588

What to see

• Wooden standing statues of Nio guardians designated as municipal cultural property
• The grave of famous Japanese author Yuzo Yamamoto located on the grounds

Getting there

• The site is a fifteen minute walk from Tochigi Station

Read more about Kinryūji Temple

A historic Jodo Shinshu temple in Ashio founded in 1889, dedicated to Amida Nyorai and moved to its current site.

What it is

• A temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha sect founded in 1889.
• The main deity enshrined at this location is Amida Nyorai.
• Established by Fujimoto Yukyo following a request from Furukawa Ichibei.
• The temple moved to its current site, a former preaching hall, in 1980.

When to go

• The annual Hoonko ceremony takes place every November.

Getting there

• The site is accessible on foot from Tsudo Station.
• Tsudo Station is located on the Watarase Keikoku Railway line.

Read more about Sennen-ji

A historic Soto Zen seminary in Moka City featuring a designated cultural property bronze statue of Amida Nyorai.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple founded in 1545 by Mizutani Masamura.
• The site served as one of eighty Danrin seminaries for training Buddhist monks.
• Its mountain name Banryusan and temple name Hozen-ji derive from the founders' religious names.

What to see

• A bronze seated statue of Amida Nyorai located on the temple grounds.
• The statue is a designated Tochigi Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.

Getting there

• The temple is a three-minute walk from Kugeta Station.

Read more about Hōzen-ji Temple

Kabasaki-ji is an ancient temple site with Ashikaga clan ties and important cultural properties.

What it is

• Temple founded in 1189 by Ashikaga Yoshikane.
• Served as ancestral temple for the Ashikaga clan.
• Temple ruins designated a national historic site in 2001.

What to see

• Yoshikane's mausoleum, called Akamido, is on site.
• Kabasaki Hachimangu Shrine remains on grounds.
• A Jodo-style garden was built here.
• Two statues are presumed works by Unkei.
• Wooden seated Dainichi Nyorai statue is Important Cultural Property.
• Another wooden seated Dainichi Nyorai statue is Important Cultural Property.

Read more about Kabasaki-ji

Ungan-ji Temple is a historic Zen training center with cultural properties, worth visiting for its serene atmosphere.

What it is

• A temple founded between 1126 and 1131 as Old Buddhism.
• Re-established as a Rinzai Zen temple in 1283.
• Once one of Japan's four great Zen training centers.
• Founded by Kōhō Kennichi (Butsukoku Kokushi).

What to see

• Bronze seated statue of Shakamuni Buddha is the main image.
• Butsuden, the main hall, rebuilt in 1922.
• Monument with haiku poet Matsuo Bashō's poems.
• Several Important Cultural Properties designated by Japan.
• Tangible and natural cultural properties of Otawara City.

Address

栃木県大田原市雲岩寺27 Map

Read more about Ungan-ji Temple

A historic Soto Zen temple in Otawara featuring nine National Important Cultural Properties and the Ozeki clan family tombs.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple in Otawara originally founded in 1404
• The family temple for the Ozeki clan since the Muromachi period
• A filming location for the movie Zen and the drama Ikkyu-san
• The site moved to its current location in 1576

What to see

• Nine buildings designated as National Important Cultural Properties
• The main hall and Zen hall dating back centuries
• A seated Shaka Nyorai statue from the Muromachi period
• The historic tombs of the Ozeki family members

Official site

www.daiouji.or.jp

Read more about Daiō-ji Temple

Nouji-in is a Soto Zen temple with unique cedar grave markers of the Hosokawa clan.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple.
• Founded in 1222 by Motegi Tomomoto.
• Family temple of the Motegi clan.
• Later became the family temple of the Hosokawa clan.

What to see

• Cemetery with graves of Hosokawa clan lords.
• Cedar trees used as grave markers.
• Stone lanterns marking death dates at graves.
• Nouji-in Somon is a Tangible Cultural Property.
• Hosokawa family graveyard is a Tochigi Prefecture Historic Site.

Getting there

• 7-minute drive from Motegi Station.

Address

栃木県芳賀郡茂木町塩田227 Map

Official site

www.noujiin.com

Read more about Nōji-in Temple

Ankoku-ji Temple: a historic Shingon temple with a unique hexagonal hall and Ganjin portrait.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha sect temple.
• Its mountain name is Iousan.
• Founded on the site of ancient Shimotsuke Yakushi-ji Temple.
• Renamed Ankoku-ji in 1339.

What to see

• The principal image is Yakushi Nyorai.
• The Rokkakudo building dates from the late Edo period.
• The Rokkakudo is a designated cultural property.
• Inside the Rokkakudo is a zushi with a portrait of Ganjin.

Getting there

• 30-minute walk from Jichi Medical University Station.

Address

栃木県下野市薬師寺1737 Map

Read more about Ankoku-ji Temple