20 Temples in Toyama worth your time

A historic Shinshu Otani-ha temple in Nanto featuring 18th-century architecture and hosting a major local festival every May.

What it is

• A Shinshu Otani-ha temple founded by Rennyo, the eighth head of Hongan-ji.
• The temple moved to its current location in Johana in 1559.
• It became a representative temple for Higashi Hongan-ji in 1602.
• The current chief priest is the head of the Shinshu Otani-ha sect.

What to see

• The main hall was rebuilt in the mid-18th century and is a cultural property.
• The temple gate and bell tower are designated as prefectural cultural properties.
• Interior viewing of the temple buildings is available for a 500 yen fee.
• The grounds serve as a central site for the Johana Hikiyama Festival.

When to go

• The temple is open to visitors every day of the week.
• Visit in May to experience the Johana Hikiyama Festival on the grounds.

Getting there

• The temple is a 10-minute walk from JR Johana Station.

Read more about Zentoku-ji Temple

A 14th-century Zen temple and birthplace of a famous manga artist, featuring character statues and a protected island precinct.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple founded by Meiho Sotetsu in 1327.
• The birthplace of the famous manga artist Fujiko Fujio A.
• A designated prayer hall for the Maeda clan since 1632.
• A spiritual site that includes the nearby Karashima Island as a detached precinct.

What to see

• Four stone statues of popular manga characters located on the temple grounds.
• A reconstructed temple gate completed in 2008 following a historical fire.
• A portrait of the feudal lord Maeda Toshiie held within the temple.
• Karashima Island, which is a designated natural monument of Toyama Prefecture.

Getting there

• The temple is a 15-minute walk from JR Himi Station.

Read more about Kōzen-ji Temple

A historic Shinshu Otani-ha temple in Gokayama founded by a disciple of Rennyo, housing rare 16th-century religious artifacts.

What it is

• A Shinshu Otani-ha temple located in the Nishi-Akao district of Gokayama.
• Founded by Doshu, a disciple of the influential priest Rennyo.
• One of only two sites with official temple status in the Gokayama area.
• A training hall existed at this location prior to the year 1501.

What to see

• Five six-character name scrolls written by Rennyo are held in the collection.
• An Amida Nyorai image granted to the temple in 1513.
• The temple kitchen which was rebuilt in 1864.
• A bronze statue of the seventeenth head priest standing on the grounds.
• Handwritten copies of letters sent by Rennyo.
• The Akao Sanson Rules document dating back to 1525.

Read more about Gyotoku-ji Temple

See the impressive Takaoka Daibutsu, a large bronze Buddha statue, at this historic temple.

What it is

• A Jodo-shu Buddhist temple.
• Its mountain name is Hotokusan.
• Enshrines a bronze seated Amitabha Nyorai statue.
• The 29th site of the Takaoka City Shin Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

What to see

• The Takaoka Daibutsu, a 15.85m tall bronze Buddha statue.
• The Takaoka Daibutsu was designated a tangible cultural property in 1981.
• The Jisho bell, designated a tangible cultural property in 1962.
• A stone statue of Bato Kannon Bosatsu.

Getting there

• A 10-minute walk from Takaoka Station.

Address

富山県高岡市大手町11番29号 Map

Official site

www.takaokadaibutsu.xyz

Read more about Daibutsu-ji Temple

Honpo-ji Temple, founded in 1316, is worth visiting for its historic mandala scrolls.

What it is

• A branch temple of the Hokke sect Jinmon-ryu.
• Founded in 1316 by Nichijun.
• Main deity is Shakyamuni Buddha and Four Bodhisattvas.
• Moved to its current location during the Meiwa era (1764-1771).

What to see

• 21 scrolls of 'Color on Silk Hokke-kyo Mandala'.
• Mandala is an Important Cultural Property.
• One scroll is a Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• Old mountings are a City Tangible Cultural Property.

When to go

• Annual airing ceremony and e-toki on August 6.

Address

富山県富山市八尾町宮腰1580番地 Map

Read more about Honpō-ji Temple

This historic temple, known as Yakushido, houses ancient Buddhist statues and offers a glimpse into Japan's past.

What it is

• A Shingon sect temple.
• Commonly known as Yakushido.
• Successor to the Etchū Kokubun-soji temple.
• Temple grounds designated a historic site in 1965.

What to see

• Wooden Manjushri Bodhisattva statue from Northern and Southern Dynasties.
• Wooden Bishamonten standing statue from Kamakura period.
• Wooden Dainichi Nyorai seated statue from Edo period.
• Wooden Jizo Bodhisattva standing statue from Kamakura period.
• Indra statue from Heian period.
• Temple grounds on a terrace at Futagami Hills.

Address

富山県高岡市伏木一宮1丁目（字国分堂 Map

Read more about Etchū Kokubun-ji Temple

Sozenji Temple is a historic Jodo Shinshu temple with a notable kaya tree.

What it is

• A Jodo Shinshu temple in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture.
• Originally a Shugendo temple of Mt. Io.
• Converted to Jodo Shinshu during the Sengoku period.
• Predecessor of Matsudera Eifukuji.

What to see

• Main hall completed on July 24, 1977.
• Bronze bell cast on March 20, 1952.
• Bell tower built in June 1986.
• Temple's interior room built in 1912.
• Octagonal outdoor lantern donated in November 1979.
• Kaya tree in the cemetery is a designated cultural property.

Address

富山県南砺市才川七1257 Map

Read more about Sōzen-ji Temple

Rennoji Temple, founded in 701, offers a glimpse into ancient Japanese Buddhist art and history.

What it is

• Shingon sect temple in Imizu City, Toyama Prefecture.
• Also known as Takadera and Odera.
• Founded in 701 by Saeki Ariwaka.

What to see

• Main hall completed in May 1966.
• Wooden Juroku Amida Nyorai statue in the main hall.
• Kannon-do hall rebuilt in 2006.
• White-robed Kannon, Amida Nyorai, and Konpira Daigongen in Kannon-do.
• Grave of Fujiwara Hidesato on the grounds.
• Bronze Jizo Bosatsu standing statue, a prefectural cultural property.

Address

富山県射水市三ケ1597 Map

Read more about Rennō-ji Temple

Senkoji Temple is a historic Shingon Buddhist temple with ancient statues and architecture.

What it is

• A Shingon Buddhist temple in Toyama Prefecture.
• Founded in 703 AD, one of the oldest in the Tonami region.
• Served as a royal prayer temple for seven generations.
• Reconstructed by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

What to see

• An enshrined Enma statue.
• A mountain gate built in 1797.
• Two Nio statues housed in the mountain gate.
• The Kannon-do hall, constructed in 1760.
• A guest hall and a study.
• Two storehouses, one built in 1760.

Address

富山県砺波市芹谷1111 Map

Read more about Senkō-ji Temple

Zuiryū-ji Temple is a Sōtō Zen temple with National Treasure buildings, founded to mourn Maeda Toshinaga.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple.
• Dedicated to Shaka Nyorai.
• Founded by Maeda Toshitsune.
• Built to mourn Maeda Toshinaga.

What to see

• Butsuden, Hattō, and Sanmon are National Treasures.
• Sanmon was rebuilt in 1820.
• Butsuden was completed in 1659.
• Hattō was established in 1655.
• Seven Important Cultural Properties.

Getting there

• Accessible from Shin-Takaoka Station.
• Accessible from Takaoka Station.

Address

富山県高岡市関本町35 Map

Official site

www.zuiryuji.jp

Read more about Zuiryū-ji Temple

Zuisen-ji Temple is a historic Shinshu Otani-ha temple with significant cultural properties.

What it is

• A Shinshu Otani-ha temple in Nanto City.
• Also known as Inami Betsuin.
• Founded in 1390 by Kakunyo, 5th head of Hongan-ji.
• Destroyed in 1581, rebuilt over centuries.

What to see

• The main hall, rebuilt in 1885.
• The Taishido hall, rebuilt in 1918.
• A wisteria tree with light purple flowers.
• A wisteria tree with white flowers.
• One National Important Cultural Property.
• One Nationally Certified Important Art Object.

Address

富山県南砺市井波3050 Map

Read more about Zuisen-ji Temple

A historic Buddhist temple in Gokayama featuring a main hall rebuilt in 1792 and a rare 17th-century portrait of Shinran.

What it is

• A Shinshu Otani-ha temple located in the Tamukai district of Gokayama.
• Founded as a training hall under Yoshifuji Senko-ji Temple.
• Officially received the temple name Komyoji in 1880.
• The current main hall was rebuilt in 1792 following a major village fire.

What to see

• The main hall which underwent significant renovations in 1973.
• A portrait of Shinran featuring an inscription dating back to 1606.

Read more about Kōmyō-ji Temple

Nisseki-ji Temple is an ancient temple with a unique cliff-carved Buddha, offering a glimpse into Japan's spiritual heritage.

What it is

• A Shingon Mitsumune Daihonzan temple.
• Founded by Gyoki in 725.
• Also known as Oiwa Fudo.
• Its mountain name is Oiwa-san.

What to see

• Cliff-carved Fudo Myoo statue, a National Important Cultural Property.
• Main hall covering the cliff-carved Buddha.
• Triple pagoda, a town-designated cultural property.
• Main gate, a town-designated cultural property.
• Rokuhon-daki waterfall with six dragon heads.

Address

富山県中新川郡上市町大岩163 Map

Official site

ooiwasan.com

Read more about Nisseki-ji Temple

Ancient Jodo-shu temple with important statues and a burial mound, worth visiting for history and art.

What it is

• A Jodo-shu Buddhist temple.
• Founded in the year 706.
• Main deities are Yakushi Nyorai and Amida Nyorai.
• Enma Daio is enshrined in the Enma-do hall.

What to see

• Bronze Amida Nyorai statue, a prefectural cultural property.
• Wooden Monk Hachiman statue, a prefectural cultural property.
• Nio statues, city-designated cultural properties.
• Wakamiya Kofun, an early 6th-century burial mound.

Address

富山県小矢部市埴生4476 Map

Read more about Io-in Temple

Gokokuji Temple is a historic Shingon temple known for its pilgrimage routes and rhododendron garden.

What it is

• A Shingon sect temple.
• Rebuilt in 1382 by Monk Kankan.
• 33rd temple of the Hokuriku Sanjusan Kannon Pilgrimage.
• 23rd temple of the Hokuriku Sanjuro Fudo Pilgrimage.

What to see

• Main hall, rebuilt in 1951.
• Godairikido, rebuilt in November 1966.
• Garden with an O-sunafumi pilgrimage.
• Rhododendrons.

Getting there

• Accessible by car from Asahi Interchange.

Address

富山県下新川郡朝日町境1558 Map

Read more about Gokoku-ji Temple

Zenshoji is a historic temple with important Buddhist scrolls and treasures, rebuilt after a typhoon.

What it is

• A Jodo Shinshu Otani-ha temple.
• Its origin dates back to 1475.
• Rennyo visited during the Bunmei era.
• Designated a direct branch temple of Honganji.

What to see

• Four scrolls of Rokujimyoho are preserved.
• A small shrine houses excavated treasures.
• A monument commemorates 1953 typhoon damage.

Getting there

• Located in the Tsunakake district of Nanto City.

Address

富山県南砺市綱掛11 Map

Read more about Zenshō-ji Temple

Chōkei-ji Temple is a historic Zen temple with unique Rakan statues and scenic views.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple.
• Founded in 1786 by Zen Master Nichirin.
• Principal image is Shaka Nyorai.
• Original principal image was the Sakuradani Daibutsu.

What to see

• The Buddha's head, all that remains of the original image.
• 535 Rakan statues carved by a stonemason.
• Main hall overlooks the Toyama Plain.
• Main hall overlooks the Tateyama Mountain Range.

Address

富山県富山市五艘1882 Map

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Shomanji is an ancient Jodo Shinshu temple with a rich history and significant cultural properties.

What it is

• Jodo Shinshu temple in Oyabe City, Toyama Prefecture.
• Founded in 808 by Shingon monk Kaiman.
• Converted to Jodo Shinshu in 1207 by Tariki-bo Seiyu.
• Rebuilt in 1577 after being burned down.

What to see

• Temple grounds contain Kyonenji and Myorakuji temples.
• Bell tower rebuilt in 1995.
• Wooden Amitabha Nyorai statue is a designated cultural property.

Address

富山県小矢部市水島671 Map

Read more about Shōman-ji Temple

Shokoji Temple, rebuilt in 1584, is worth visiting for its 12 Edo period buildings, including National Treasures.

What it is

• Established in 1471 as a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist temple.
• Teaches all people are equal before the Buddha.

What to see

• Twelve buildings, all designated Important Cultural Properties.
• Main Hall, Reception Hall, Entrance Hall are National Treasures.
• Temple complex looks much as it did in 1803.
• Most structures date from the Edo period (1603–1867).

Address

〒933-0112　富山県高岡市伏木古国府17番１号 Map

Official site

www.shoukouji.jp

Read more about Shōkō-ji Temple

Kokutai-ji is a historic Zen temple, significant for its Rinzai school heritage and ancient origins.

What it is

• A Zen temple in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture.
• Head temple of the Rinzai sect Kokutai-ji school.
• Founded in 1296 as a hermitage by Jiun Myōi.
• Named Kokutai Jinō Manzenji by Emperor Go-Daigo in 1328.

What to see

• The principal image is Shaka Nyorai.
• The Kaisandō is a three-storied pagoda.
• A suit of armor donated by Yamaoka Tesshū.

Address

富山県高岡市太田184 Map

Official site

www.kokutaiji.jp

Read more about Kokutai-ji Temple