20 Temples in Tottori worth your time

Mani-ji Temple is a historic Tendai temple with significant cultural properties and a sacred mountain peak.

What it is

• A Tendai sect Anraku-ritsu school temple.
• Restored by Ennin (Jikaku Daishi) around 834 AD.
• Rebuilt by Ikeda Mitsunaka and Mitsumasa in early Edo period.
• Mountain name is Kiken-zan.

What to see

• Main hall is a registered tangible cultural property.
• Bell tower is a registered tangible cultural property.
• Mountain gate is a registered tangible cultural property.
• Niomon gate is a designated protected cultural property.
• A 303-step stone staircase laid in 1912.
• Standing rock on peak is a sacred site for Taishakuten's descent.

Address

鳥取県鳥取市覚寺624 Map

Read more about Mani-ji Temple

Explore ancient temple ruins, a National Historic Site, revealing Japan's early Buddhist architecture.

What it is

• Temple ruin from the Asuka to Nara periods.
• Designated a Special National Historic Site.
• Designated a Special National Historic Site on March 29, 1952.

What to see

• Horyuji-style temple layout, with main hall and pagoda.
• Remains of the main hall and pagoda are earth mounds and foundation stones.
• Foundation stones of the lecture hall and middle gate earth mound remain.
• Excavated roof tiles and earthenware.
• Round eaves tiles share patterns with Kidera ruins.
• Flat eaves tiles share patterns with Horyuji Temple.

Read more about Sainoo Haiji Ruins

A historic Tendai Buddhist temple in Tottori housing National Important Cultural Properties and serving as a major pilgrimage site.

What it is

• A Tendai Buddhist temple founded in 1650 by Lord Ikeda Mitsunaka
• The 33rd site of the Chugoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage
• Dedicated to the primary deity Amida Nyorai
• Former administrator for the Tottori Toshogu Shrine

What to see

• National Important Cultural Properties including the Golden Lotus Sutra
• Calligraphy by Emperor Fushimi preserved within the temple collection
• Ancestral tablets belonging to the Tokugawa Shogunate
• The main temple grounds located in the Tachikawa-cho area

Read more about Daiun-in Temple

Sanbutsu-ji Temple is a unique mountain temple with a hall built into a cliff.

What it is

• A Tendai Buddhist temple.
• Known for its Nageiredo, an inner sanctuary.
• Certified as a Japan Heritage site in 2015.

What to see

• Nageiredo, a National Treasure built into a cliff.
• A hidden Amitabha Tathagata statue in the main hall.
• Three sub-temples: Kaijoin, Shozenin, and Rinkoin.
• A wooden statue of Zao Gongen from 1168.
• Important cultural properties like Monjudo and Jizodo.
• The bell tower in the mountain area.

Address

鳥取県東伯郡三朝町三徳1010 Map

Official site

www.mitokusan.jp

Read more about Sanbutsu-ji Temple

Genchū-ji Temple is a historic Jōdo-shū Buddhist temple with a famous swordsman's grave and relics.

What it is

• Jōdo-shū Buddhist temple.
• Family temple of swordsman Araki Mataemon.
• Founded in 1508.
• Moved to current location in 1660.

What to see

• Araki Mataemon's Relics Museum.
• Araki Mataemon's grave.
• Kuroda Inakō's grave.
• Main hall, gate, and bell tower rebuilt in 1805.

When to go

• Open daily from 9:00 to 16:00.
• Closed January 1-3, Vernal Equinox, August 12-15, August 20, Autumnal Equinox.

Address

鳥取県鳥取市新品治町77番地 Map

Read more about Genchū-ji Temple

Kōsen-ji Temple: a historic temple with a nightingale floor, founded in 1590.

What it is

• A temple of the Jōdo Shinshū Honganji-ha sect.
• Founded in 1590.
• Main image is Amida Nyorai Geiritsu-zō.
• Located along the Chizu-shuku Chizu Ōrai.

What to see

• Nightingale floor in the main hall.
• Shinran-den-e, created in 1739.
• Hachidai Jigoku Hensō-zu, created in 1791.
• Fusuma paintings by Kawamura Koha and Maruyama school.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Chizu Station.

Address

鳥取県八頭郡智頭町智頭147 Map

Read more about Kōsen-ji Temple (Chizu)

Bujō-ji Temple: a historic Shingon temple with important cultural properties.

What it is

• A temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect.
• Founded by Shinga, Kūkai's dharma brother.
• Established during the Kashō era (845-851).
• Dedicated to Amitābha Tathāgata.

What to see

• The main hall, built in 1685.
• The Daishido, constructed in 1782.
• The temple gate, built in 1744.
• National Treasure 'Fugen Bosatsu on silk'.
• Many other cultural properties.
• The natural monument 'Bujō-ji's great cedar'.

Address

〒689-1463 鳥取県八頭郡智頭町新見73 Map

Read more about Bujō-ji Temple

Explore a historic temple rebuilt in the Edo period, featuring ancient foundation stones and monuments.

What it is

• An Obaku sect temple, mountain name Saishōzan.
• Principal image is Yakushi Nyorai.
• Successor to the Inaba Kokubun-sōji temple.
• Rebuilt during the Enpō era (1673-1681).

What to see

• Eight pagoda foundation stones in the temple grounds.
• Pagoda foundation stones are a cultural property.
• Hōkeji foundation stone is a cultural property.
• Inuzuka stone monument is a designated historic site.

Address

鳥取県鳥取市国府町国分寺 Map

Read more about Inaba-Kokubun-ji Temple

Seiryuji is a historic Shingon temple with unique architecture and important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shingon sect temple in Tottori Prefecture.
• Founded in 710 by Gyoki Bosatsu.
• Formerly known as Kakisan Jokoji.
• Renamed Naritasan Seiryuji in 1902.

What to see

• Main hall contains a relocated Shirauto Shrine building.
• Shirauto Shrine building has intricate carvings of waves and rabbits.
• Three Buddha statues saved from a 1581 fire.
• Two wooden statues are Important Cultural Properties.

Read more about Seiryū-ji Temple

Dairen-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple with unique architecture and notable graves.

What it is

• A Jodo-shu Buddhist temple.
• Founded in the Tensho era (1573-1592).
• Originated in the Yoro era (717-723).
• Connected to warlord Wakia Yoshisuke.

What to see

• Graves of merchant Yodoya Seibei.
• Current main hall, rebuilt in 1955.
• Main hall made of reinforced concrete.
• Akarengesogaran on the temple grounds.
• Hokaido gate on the temple grounds.
• Benzaitendo hall on the temple grounds.

Address

〒682-0861 鳥取県倉吉市新町1-2411 Map

Read more about Dairen-ji Temple

Hase-dera Temple is a historic pilgrimage site with important cultural properties and unique votive paintings.

What it is

• The 30th temple of the Chugoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Founded in 721 by Hodo.
• Known as the 'Ema Temple' for its votive horse paintings.

What to see

• Main hall rebuilt in the Muromachi period.
• Hidden statue of the Eleven-faced Kannon Bosatsu.
• Main hall's Zushi is an Important Cultural Property.
• Nio-mon gate built in 1680.
• Temple bell dates from 1393.
• Nio statues created in 1676.

Address

〒682-0824 鳥取県倉吉市仲ノ町2960 Map

Read more about Hase-dera Temple

Daisenji Temple is an ancient mountain worship center, offering majestic views and historical significance.

What it is

• One of Japan's oldest centers for mountain worship.
• A center for Buddhist religious practice.
• Dedicated to the bodhisattva Jizo, protector of travelers and children.

What to see

• Dense natural forest surrounding the temple.
• Majestic views of the north side of the mountain.
• Views of the Sea of Japan on clear days.

When to go

• On clear days for best views.

Address

鳥取県西伯郡大山町大山9 Map

Official site

daisenji.jp

Read more about Daisen-ji Temple

Nageire-dō is a rare Heian period temple building, dramatically built into a cliff.

What it is

• A wooden building in Misasa Town, Tottori Prefecture.
• An architectural structure built into a cliff hollow.
• A rare example of Heian period esoteric Buddhist architecture.
• Estimated construction date of 1098.

What to see

• The main building, a National Treasure of Japan.
• Suspended construction method of the structure.
• Aizen-dō, a smaller building connected to the east side.

Address

鳥取県東伯郡三朝町大字三徳1010 Map

Official site

www.mitokusan.jp

Read more about Nageire-dō

Kōzen-ji Temple: an Edo period Zen temple with a scenic garden and historical graves.

What it is

• Ōbaku Zen temple.
• Family temple of the Ikeda clan.
• Founded with mountain name Ryūhōzan.

What to see

• Edo period main hall, built in 1814.
• Main hall is a registered tangible cultural property.
• Pond garden, a designated scenic spot.
• Kirishitan lantern in the garden.
• Graves of Tottori Domain chief retainers.
• Area around the temple is a national natural monument.

Address

鳥取県鳥取市栗谷町10 Map

Read more about Kōzen-ji Temple

Koun-ji Temple is a Soto Zen temple with historical connections and unique cultural properties.

What it is

• A Soto Zen Buddhist temple.
• Its mountain name is Ryuginzan.
• The 20th temple of the Inaba 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
• Founded as a Rinzai sect temple, rebuilt as Soto Zen in 1625.

What to see

• Main hall, bell tower, and temple office.
• Mortuary tablet of Ikeda Tadao.
• Grave of sculptor Kuniyone Taiseki in the cemetery.
• Seated statue of Kobo Daishi, a cultural property.

Address

鳥取県八頭郡智頭町智頭364 Map

Read more about Koun-ji Temple

Daigaku-in is a Soto Zen temple founded in 1605, notable for samurai graves and cultural properties.

What it is

• Soto Zen Buddhist temple, founded in 1605.
• Main deity is Shakamuni Buddha.
• Founded as a memorial temple for Nakamura Yoshitada's father.
• Prayer place for the Arisugawa-no-miya.

What to see

• Graves of Satomi Tadayoshi and eight retainers.
• Mausoleum for Ooe Iwashiro's mother.
• Main hall, rebuilt in 1995.
• Three-color carved flower plate, a cultural property.

Address

鳥取県倉吉市東町422 Map

Read more about Daigaku-in Temple

Honkyoji Temple, founded for a mother's memorial, offers a glimpse into local history and traditional temple architecture.

What it is

• A Buddhist temple in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture.
• Founded as Johoji Temple by Furubiki Yoshitane.
• Established for his mother's memorial service.
• Renamed Honkyoji Temple after a relocation.

What to see

• The temple's Sanmon, a traditional temple gate.
• The Hondo, the main hall of the temple.
• The grave of Furubiki Nagato-no-kami Yoshitane.

Address

鳥取県米子市岩倉町106 Map

Read more about Honkyō-ji Temple

Kannon-in Temple is a Tendai temple with a stunning 17th-century Kyoto-style pond garden.

What it is

• Tendai sect temple founded in the early 1630s.
• Principal image is Shō Kannon Bosatsu.
• Prayer place for the Ikeda family.
• 32nd temple of the Chugoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• Kannon-in Garden, a Kyoto-style Horai-style pond garden.
• Garden created over 10 years starting in 1650.
• Garden is a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

Address

鳥取県鳥取市上町162 Map

Official site

www.kannon.org

Read more about Kannon-in Temple

Myokoji Temple, founded in 1564, is worth visiting for its historical significance and unique Nirvana painting.

What it is

• A Buddhist temple founded on March 28, 1564.
• Founded by Zuiouin Niccho.
• Burial place of Yokota Naizen Masamuraaki.
• Received territory from the Yonago Castle Nakamura clan.

What to see

• The main hall of the temple.
• A Buddhist Nirvana painting with a cat.

Getting there

• 5-minute drive from Yonago Station.

Address

鳥取県米子市寺町46 Map

Read more about Myōkō-ji Temple

Explore Kamiyodo Haiji, an ancient temple ruin with rare Buddhist wall paintings.

What it is

• An ancient temple ruin in Yonago City.
• Built in the late Asuka period.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1996.
• Destroyed by fire in the mid-Heian period.

What to see

• Unearthed Buddhist wall paintings.
• Clay figures and roof tiles.
• Central temple complex with a pagoda and gate.
• Three pagodas arranged north to south.

Address

鳥取県米子市淀江町福岡字櫻田・法行・垣サゴ Map

Read more about Kamiyodo Haiji