20 Temples in Tokushima worth your time

A high-altitude Jodo sect temple in a natural park, famous for its ancient wild rhododendrons blooming in late spring.

What it is

• A Jodo sect temple founded in 1824 by Priest Tokuen.
• Located at an elevation of 700 meters within Higashiyama-kei Prefectural Natural Park.
• Built through the cooperation of local believers during the Bunsei era.
• Situated near the upper reaches of the Saga River in Sanagochi Village.

What to see

• Hundreds of wild rhododendrons growing across the temple grounds.
• Ancient rhododendron trees that are over 120 years old.
• Scenic views from the temple's high-altitude location in the natural park.

When to go

• Late April to early May to see the rhododendrons in bloom.

Getting there

• A 40-minute drive from JR Tokushima Station.
• Located 50 minutes by car from the Tokushima Interchange.

Read more about Tokuen-ji Temple

A historic Shingon Buddhist temple founded by Kukai, serving as the second stop on the Shikoku 36 Fudo Pilgrimage.

What it is

• A temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect founded by Kukai around 830 AD.
• Dedicated to the deities Fudo Myoo and Amida Nyorai.
• The second station of the Shikoku 36 Fudo Pilgrimage.
• Rebuilt in 1622 after a flood destroyed the original buildings in 1543.

What to see

• The main hall and a traditional bell tower gate.
• A Fudo Myoo statue nicknamed Nezumi Fudo.
• Several varieties of cherry blossoms that bloom across the grounds.

When to go

• Springtime is ideal to see the various cherry blossoms in bloom.

Getting there

• The temple is located approximately 5.5 kilometers from Gaku Station.

Read more about Myōō-in Temple

Ganshō-ji Temple offers a serene escape with unique statues and beautiful cherry blossoms.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Omuro-ha Buddhist temple.
• Dedicated to Fudō Myōō, its principal image.
• The 10th temple of the Tokushima 24 Jizo Sacred Sites.
• A Daikokuten site of the Tokushima Seven Lucky Gods.

What to see

• A Daikoku-do hall at the temple entrance.
• Daikoku enshrined in the main hall's left section.
• A stone Fudō Myōō statue past the Niōmon gate.

When to go

• Known for its beautiful cherry blossoms.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from JR Tokushima Station.
• 10-minute drive from Tokushima Interchange.

Address

徳島県徳島市寺町86 Map

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Senpukuji is a historic temple founded in 724, housing unique statues and treasures.

What it is

• Koyasan Shingon sect temple.
• Founded in 724 by Gyoki.
• Main hall and priest's quarters rebuilt in 2009.

What to see

• Hidden statue of Yakushi Nyorai is the main image.
• Statues of Fudo Myoo and Kobo Daishi are enshrined.
• Torii gate enshrined on the main hall altar.
• Kannon-do hall houses Sho Kannon Bosatsu, Kobo Daishi, Jizo Bosatsu.
• Seven Lucky Gods boat and Mandala stone in front of Kannon-do.
• Storehouse holds a 1788 bronze jaw and Edo period copper mirror.

Getting there

• 0.4km from Minobayashi Station.

Address

徳島県阿南市見能林町寺ノ前4 Map

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Unpen-ji Temple, founded by Kukai, is the highest temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

What it is

• Shingon-shu Omuro-ha temple.
• 66th temple of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage.
• 21st temple of the Awa Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Founded by Kukai in 789.

What to see

• Main deity is Senju Kannon Bosatsu.
• Current main deity from late Heian period.
• Main hall completed in 2009.
• Important cultural properties include wooden statues.
• A painted scroll is an important cultural property.
• Historic Awa Henro Road section.

Getting there

• Near the summit of Mt. Unpen-ji.
• Connected by Unpen-ji Ropeway since 1987.

Address

徳島県三好市池田町白地ノロウチ763-2 Map

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Jifuku-ji Temple offers a peaceful visit to see historic wisteria trees and a Jizo Bosatsu statue.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Daikaku-ji school temple.
• Dedicated to Jizo Bosatsu, its principal image.
• Founded by Yuchi Shonin during the Keicho era (1596-1615).
• It is an Awa Rokujizo Reijo (Migarajizo).

What to see

• Purple wisteria tree planted during the Kansei era (1789-1801).
• White wisteria added by Shohto Shonin in 1897.
• See both purple and white wisteria trees.

When to go

• Wisteria festival from mid-April to early May.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from JR Tokushima Line Ishii Station.

Address

徳島県名西郡石井町石井字石井321番地 Map

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Chokoku-ji Temple, founded in 1480, offers a glimpse into Japanese religious history and unique architecture.

What it is

• Koyasan Shingon sect temple, founded in 1480.
• Dedicated to the Eleven-faced Kannon Bosatsu.
• The 2nd Fudasho of New Shikoku Mandala Sacred Sites.
• The 19th Fudasho of Awa Hokurei Yakushi Sacred Sites.

What to see

• Main hall, rebuilt in 1601.
• Nio and Shitenno statues inside the main hall.
• Bell tower with Hakamagoshi-zukuri style.
• Ginkgo tree, designated a natural monument.
• Two documents designated as cultural properties.

Getting there

• 80 meters from Konpira-mae Station on the JR Naruto Line.

Address

徳島県鳴門市撫養町木津1037-1 Map

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Ganshoji is a historic temple with a beautiful garden and important cultural properties.

What it is

• It is a Shingon-shu Omuro-ha temple.
• The main deity is an Amida Nyorai statue.
• It is the 68th Fudasho of the New Shikoku Mandala Pilgrimage.
• It is the 30th Fudasho of the Awa Saigoku Sanjusankannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• The temple gate is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• The temple gate dates from the Meiji period.
• The garden is a Prefectural Designated Place of Scenic Beauty.
• The garden dates from the Muromachi period.

Getting there

• About 5 minutes by car from Mima Interchange.

Address

徳島県美馬市美馬町願勝寺8 Map

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Hōrin-ji Temple is a historic pilgrimage site with a unique reclining Buddha statue.

What it is

• A Kōyasan Shingon sect Buddhist temple.
• Founded by Kūkai, who carved its main image.
• The 9th temple on the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage.
• Rebuilt multiple times after fires, most recently in Meiji era.

What to see

• The principal image: Nirvana Shaka Nyorai, a reclining Buddha.
• The Sanmon gate, also known as Niōmon.
• The bell tower, which survived an 1859 fire.
• The main hall, rebuilt during the Meiji era.

When to go

• February 15th, to see the principal image displayed.

Address

徳島県阿波市土成町土成字田中198-2 Map

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Jinkoji Temple offers a unique wisteria display, making it a worthwhile stop in spring.

What it is

• A Koyasan Shingon sect temple.
• Its Sango is Oniimesan.

What to see

• Wisteria flowers bloom from mid to late April.
• Wisteria wraps around a 15-meter-high iron fence.
• The wisteria is called Noborifuji.

When to go

• Mid to late April for wisteria flowers.

Getting there

• 45 minutes by car from JR Tokushima Station.
• 50 minutes by car from Itano Interchange.
• 50 minutes by car from Aizumi Interchange.
• Parking lot adjacent to the temple grounds.

Address

徳島県名西郡神山町鬼籠野字喜来435 Map

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Ancient temple founded in the 8th century, home to significant Buddhist statues and pilgrimage routes.

What it is

• Koyasan Shingon sect temple, founded in the Tenpyo era (729-749).
• Principal image is the Eleven-faced Kannon Bosatsu, created by Gyoki.
• Kukai performed Shingon rituals here.
• Part of two pilgrimage routes: Awa Saigoku and Awa Hokurei Yakushi.

What to see

• Main hall enshrines Eleven-faced Kannon and Yakushi Nyorai.
• Kannon stone statue stands in front of the main hall.

Getting there

• About 20 minutes by car from Tokushima Expressway interchanges.

Address

徳島県板野郡上板町泉谷字寺ノ下4 Map

Read more about Wasen-ji Temple

A Kōyasan Shingon-shu temple in Tokushima with a Jizō Bodhisattva made by Kūkai.

What it is

• A Kōyasan Shingon-shu temple.
• The principal image is Dainichi Nyorai.
• It is the 20th Fudasho of Tokushima 24 Jizō Sacred Sites.
• It is the Hotei-son of Tokushima Seven Lucky Gods Sacred Sites.

What to see

• A Jizō Bodhisattva in the precincts.
• The Jizō Bodhisattva was made by Kūkai.
• The Jizō Bodhisattva is called Shikubi Jizō.

Getting there

• 15 minutes walk from JR Tokushima Station.
• 10 minutes by car from Tokushima Interchange.

Address

徳島県徳島市中前川町2丁目21 Map

Read more about Myōō-ji Temple (Tokushima)

This Shingon temple offers unique spiritual significance and a historic shrine.

What it is

• A Shingon sect temple, mountain name Nyoizan.
• Main deities are Namikiri Fudo Myoo and Yugi Kannon.
• 13th Daitaiji Shin-oku-no-in of Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage.
• 13th sacred site of the Boke-fuji 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• Namikiri Fudo Myoo, known for maritime safety.
• Kuninaka Shrine, founded before the Heian period.

Getting there

• About 30 minutes by car from Tokushima Interchange.
• About 10 minutes by car from JR Fuchu Station.

Address

徳島県徳島市一宮町東丁191 Map

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Jūraku-ji Temple is a significant pilgrimage site with ancient Buddhist statues and a unique healing hall.

What it is

• A Kōyasan Shingon sect Buddhist temple.
• Formal names are Kōmyōzan and Renge-in.
• Dedicated to Amitābha Tathāgata.
• The 7th temple of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage.

What to see

• Main image and two bodhisattvas from Kamakura period.
• Kūkai enshrined an Amitābha image carved from camphor wood.
• The main hall was constructed in 1994.
• The Chūmon's upper floor is the Aizen-dō hall.
• The Jiganjissokusaichizō is known for healing eye diseases.

Address

徳島県阿波市土成町高尾字法教田58 Map

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Kōsen-ji Temple is a modern pilgrimage site with unique architecture, worth visiting for its distinct style.

What it is

• The 32nd fudasho of the Awa Chichibu Kannon Pilgrimage.
• The Bishamonten of the Tokushima Shichifukujin Pilgrimage.
• A Shingon-shu Omuro-ha temple.
• Located at the foot of Mount Bizan.

What to see

• The new sanmon connecting the Bishamondo with a board fence.
• The modern Bishamondo hall.
• The Bishamondo's yosemune-zukuri style.
• A garage under the Bishamondo's floor.

Getting there

• 17 minutes walk from JR Nikenya Station.

Address

徳島県徳島市伊賀町4-17 Map

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Kannon-ji is a historic temple with a beautiful garden, relocated in 1616.

What it is

• A Koyasan Shingon sect temple.
• Its mountain name is Semiyama.
• The principal image is Senju Kannon.
• Relocated in 1616 by Hachisuka Iemasa.

What to see

• The main hall, a tangible cultural property.
• Main hall architecture is Gongen-zukuri style.
• Kannon-ji Shoin Garden, a designated scenic spot.
• The garden is Chisen-kansho-shiki style.

Getting there

• Take a bus to Kotohira-mae stop.
• Walk 5 minutes from the bus stop.

Address

徳島県徳島市勢見町2丁目19 Map

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Myōō-ji Temple offers ancient weeping cherry trees and a vibrant spring festival.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Zentsuji-ha Buddhist temple.
• Its Sango is Tenjin-zan.
• Its Ingo is Itoku-in.
• Dedicated to Fudō Myōō, the principal image.

What to see

• Two ancient weeping cherry trees.
• Trees are 100 and 80 years old.

When to go

• Late March to early April for cherry blossoms.
• Annual weeping cherry blossom festival.
• Festival features Awa Jōruri puppet theater.
• Festival includes music, mochi pounding, and sales.

Address

徳島県名西郡神山町下分東寺56 Map

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Jiko-ji Temple is a historic Rinzai Buddhist temple, serving as a pilgrimage site and family gravesite.

What it is

• A Rinzai sect Myoshin-ji school temple.
• The 25th fudasho of the Awa Chichibu Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Founded by Hachisuka Yoshishige.
• Became the bodaijo for Yoshishige's mother, Jikoin.

What to see

• Graves of Chikamatsu Yukishige.
• Graves of Okuda Yukitaka's parents.

Getting there

• 22-minute walk from JR Tokushima Station.
• In front of Fukushima Elementary School bus stop.
• Bus stop is on the Okisu, Suehiro Ferry line.

Address

徳島県徳島市福島1-10-73 Map

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Saimyo-ji Temple, founded in the 8th century, is a pilgrimage site known for its main hall and statues.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Daikaku-ji school temple.
• Main deity is Sho-Kannon Bosatsu.
• Founded by Gyoki during the Tenpyo era (729-748).
• Known as 'Hagi-dera'.

What to see

• The main hall, rebuilt in 2024.
• Homa-do hall enshrines a seated Fudo Myoo statue.
• Treasure hall houses a wooden Amitabha Nyorai seated statue.
• Treasure hall houses a wooden Bishamonten standing statue.

When to go

• Mid-September for blooming Hagi flowers.

Address

徳島県美馬市脇町猪尻字西上野44 Map

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Kurotaki-ji Temple is a mountain temple with a sacred spring, important to Shikoku's pilgrimage routes.

What it is

• A temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect.
• It is the Okunoin of Tairyu-ji Temple, Shikoku 88 Sacred Places No. 21.
• The 88th sacred site of the New Shikoku Mandala Sacred Places.
• Believed to be the birthplace of mountain Buddhism.

What to see

• The principal image is the Eleven-faced Kannon.
• Kukai carved an Eleven-faced Kannon here.
• A sacred spring called Akai no Mizu flows on the grounds.
• Temple buildings constructed between 1716 and 1956.

Address

徳島県那賀郡那賀町阿津江字黒滝山5 Map

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