20 Temples in Yamanashi worth your time

A historic Soto Zen temple in Kofu housing Takeda family graves and a legendary plum tree planted by Shingen.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple restored by Takeda Nobunawa during the Sengoku period
• The official family temple dedicated to the memory of Takeda Nobunawa
• A religious site once led by the head priest Setsuden Sogaku

What to see

• The grave of Takeda Nobunawa located within the temple precincts
• A historic plum tree said to be planted by Takeda Shingen
• A portrait of Setsuden Sogaku designated as a prefectural cultural property
• Ancient temple documents preserved as city cultural properties

When to go

• The plum blossom season to see the historic flowering trees

Getting there

• A twenty minute drive from the Kofu Showa Interchange

Read more about Eun-in Temple (Kofu)

A historic Sōtō Zen temple in Kai City featuring a rare 15th-century stone pillar designated as a cultural property.

What it is

• A Sōtō Zen temple dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha located in Kai City.
• Founded in 1475 by Obu Toramasa on the site of an earlier hermitage.
• The temple grounds were officially protected by the Tokugawa clan starting in 1583.
• Restored during the Takeda Katsuyori era by Yamagata Masamitsu.

What to see

• A 234-centimeter stone pillar designated as a Yamanashi Prefecture cultural property.
• The historic stone pillar features an inscription dating back to April 12, 1426.
• A prohibition document issued by Hiraiwa Chikayoshi in 1603 is held here.
• The temple grounds are situated on the left bank of the Kamezawa River.

Read more about Tentaku-ji Temple

A historic Soto Zen temple founded in 1127, featuring unique miso-covered statues and artifacts from the Takeda and Tokugawa clans.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple founded in 1127 by Minamoto no Yoshikiyo.
• The 70th site of the Kai 108 Sacred Places pilgrimage.
• A former prayer hall for the Tayasu family that moved here in 1430.

What to see

• A mountain gate housing statues of the Sixteen Arhats.
• Main hall enshrining memorial tablets of Yoshimitsu and Yoshikiyo.
• A stone Jizo statue covered in miso by local worshippers.
• Cedar doors featuring paintings by the artist Saigusa Untai.
• Palanquins decorated with the official Tokugawa family crest.

Getting there

• Located a four-minute drive from the Sutama Interchange.

Read more about Shokaku-ji Temple (Sutama-cho, Hokuto)

Entaku-ji Temple is an ancient temple with important cultural properties and a unique festival.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha Buddhist temple.
• Founded by Kukai in 808.
• Also founded by Kuya in 955.
• Rebuilt during the Kamakura period by Rankei Doryu.

What to see

• Jizo-do Hall is a National Important Cultural Property.
• Jizo-do Hall was built in the late Muromachi period.
• Shiozawa-ji Muhoto is a Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• Muhoto has an inscription from 1374.
• Shiozawa-ji no Maizuru no Matsu is a Prefectural Natural Monument.

When to go

• Yakuyoke Jizo-son Taisai festival from Feb 13 noon to Feb 14 noon.

Address

山梨県甲府市湯村3-17-2 Map

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Daizen-ji Temple: a historic Buddhist temple with a National Treasure main hall and ancient statues.

What it is

• A Buddhist temple in Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Dedicated to the main deity Yakushi Nyorai.
• Main hall completed around 1306.
• Oldest existing building in Yamanashi Prefecture.

What to see

• Main hall, designated a National Treasure.
• Wooden statue of Yakushi Nyorai and two attendants.
• Wooden statue of the Twelve Heavenly Generals from 1227.
• Wooden statues of Nikko and Gakko Bosatsu.
• Mountain gate built in 1704.
• Japanese garden designated as a scenic spot.

When to go

• Fujikiri Festival in early May.

Address

山梨県甲州市勝沼町勝沼3559 Map

Official site

daizenji.org

Read more about Daizen-ji Temple

Saion-ji Temple is a historic Rinzai Zen temple with an ancient Buddha Hall.

What it is

• A Rinzai sect temple, mountain name Fukushisan.
• Main deity is Shaka Nyorai.
• Founded in the mid-Heian period as a Tendai temple.
• Re-established as a Rinzai temple in the Muromachi period.

What to see

• The Buddha Hall is an Important Cultural Property.
• It is one of the oldest Zen style structures in eastern Japan.
• The Buddha Hall dates to the early Muromachi period.
• A portrait of Anayama Katsuchiyo is a Prefectural Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 10-minute taxi ride from Ide Station.

Address

山梨県南部町福士23502 Map

Read more about Saion-ji Temple

A historic Nichiren Shu sub-temple in Minobu featuring a Marishiten statue and a sacred well on former lodging grounds.

What it is

• A Nichiren Shu temple founded by the priest Nichizai in 1616.
• One of the thirty-two sub-temples belonging to the Kuon-ji temple complex.
• A site that formerly served as shukubo lodging for visiting pilgrims.
• A merged temple incorporating the former Kansho-bo and Nanen-bo sites.

What to see

• A dedicated hall housing a statue of the deity Marishiten.
• The Well of Mangyo-in located within the temple premises.
• Historical grounds currently undergoing restoration by the priest of Shimizu-bo.

Read more about Renjō-bō Temple

Myōō-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple with important cultural properties.

What it is

• A temple of the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism.
• Founded by Gitan Gyōen.
• Originally a Sanron sect temple, later Kegon, then Shingon.

What to see

• Wooden standing statue of Yakushi Nyorai, a National Important Cultural Property.
• A Waniguchi, a National Important Cultural Property.
• Fudō Myōō woodblock, a Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.
• Shikyaku-mon gate, a Fujikawa Town Cultural Property.
• Many temple treasures.

Getting there

• 7-minute drive from Masuho IC.

Address

山梨県南巨摩郡富士川町舂米2 Map

Read more about Myōō-ji Temple

Ancient Zen temple with Takeda clan ties, preserving important cultural properties.

What it is

• Zen Buddhist temple of the Myoshin-ji branch.
• Founded in 745 by Gyoki.
• Main deity is an Eleven-faced Kannon statue.
• Served as a prayer temple for the Takeda clan.

What to see

• Main hall built in the late Muromachi period.
• Main hall is a national Important Cultural Property.
• Kuri, Shoin, and Nio-mon are national Important Cultural Properties.
• Six preserved war banners of the Takeda clan.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk from Daibosatsu Tozanguchi bus stop.

Address

山梨県甲州市塩山上萩原2678 Map

Read more about Umpō-ji Temple

Zen temple founded in 1378, home to national treasures and a scenic garden.

What it is

• Zen temple in Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture.
• Head temple of the Rinzai sect Kōgaku-ji school.
• Founded in 1378 by Bassui Tokushō.
• Became an imperial temple for Emperor Go-Kameyama.

What to see

• Hanging Scroll of Daruma, a National Treasure.
• Chumon (middle gate), an Important Cultural Property.
• Nationally designated scenic garden.
• Garden restored based on excavation findings.
• Principal image is Shaka Nyorai.
• Many printing blocks, including Bassui's teachings.

Address

山梨県甲州市塩山上於曽2026 Map

Read more about Kōgaku-ji Temple

This historic temple, re-established in 1157, houses important wooden statues and offers orchard views.

What it is

• A temple of the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism.
• Re-established in 1157 by Ōno Shigekane.
• Dedicated to the main deity Fudō Myōō.
• Associated with the legend of Kai no Kurokoma.

What to see

• Wooden statue of Kisshōten and Two Devas.
• Statue created in 1231 by sculptor Renkei.
• Statues made of cypress wood, yosegi-zukuri technique.
• Temple situated on a slope surrounded by fruit orchards.

When to go

• Open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Address

山梨県笛吹市御坂町大野寺2027 Map

Read more about Fukkōon-ji Temple

Ryūun-ji is a historic Sōtō Zen temple with imperial and samurai family treasures.

What it is

• It is a Sōtō Zen temple.
• Founded in 1111 at its present location.
• Converted to Sōtō Zen in 1506 by Anayama Nobutsuna.
• It is a branch temple of Daizen-ji in Kofu City.

What to see

• An Eleven-faced Kannon Bosatsu statue is the main image.
• The statue contains relics of Empress Kōmyō.
• Current temple buildings were rebuilt in 1781.
• Treasures from the Imperial family are held here.
• Treasures from the Takeda and Tokugawa families are also held here.

Address

山梨県南巨摩郡身延町 Map

Read more about Ryūun-ji Temple

Naisen-ji Temple is a historic Nichiren-shu Buddhist temple with unique treasures and graves.

What it is

• A Nichiren-shu Buddhist temple.
• Founded in 1277 as a private Buddhist chapel.
• Shijo Kingo Yorimoto founded the temple.

What to see

• Graves of the founding couple behind the main hall.
• Main hall and priest's living quarters, rebuilt in 1855.
• Small bronze bell with traditional Chinese medicine recipes.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Uchibuna Station on the Minobu Line.
• 5-minute drive from Uchibuna Station on the Minobu Line.

Address

山梨県南巨摩郡南部町内船3599 Map

Read more about Naisen-ji Temple

Ancient temple with a hidden Kannon statue, a significant cultural property.

What it is

• A Shingon-shu Chizan-ha temple.
• Founded in the Tenpyo era (729-749) by Gyoki.
• Dedicated to the Eleven-faced Kannon.
• The 80th sacred site of Kai Hyakuhachi Reijo.

What to see

• The main hall, a nationally Important Cultural Property.
• A wooden Eleven-faced Kannon statue, a hidden Buddha.
• The Kannon statue is a Prefectural Tangible Cultural Property.

When to go

• The Kannon statue is shown to the public every 33 years.

Address

山梨県南アルプス市榎原442 Map

Read more about Chōkoku-ji Temple

Shōgan-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple with important cultural properties.

What it is

• Buddhist temple of the Jishu sect.
• Founded in 1292 by Ta-A Shinkyo.
• 34th temple of the Kai Hyakuhachi Reijo.
• Located in Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture.

What to see

• Wooden seated statue of Ta-A Shinkyo, 14th century.
• Statue is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.
• Cherry tree is a Yamanashi Prefectural Natural Monument.
• Grave of Kuromasa Katsuzo is on the grounds.
• Document from Takeda Nobutora dated 1529 remains.

Address

山梨県笛吹市御坂町上黒駒2964番地 Map

Read more about Shōgan-ji Temple

A 14th-century Rinzai Zen temple in Otsuki City dedicated to Shaka Nyorai with historic 18th and 19th-century architecture.

What it is

• A Rinzai Zen temple belonging to the Kenchoji branch established in 1346
• The main deity enshrined here is Shaka Nyorai
• Founded by Jikusen Bonsen and originally built on Mount Tokuzou
• The name originates from a traditional Buddhist incense prayer

What to see

• The main hall which was constructed around 1813
• Historic priest quarters built in 1799
• Architecture that survived after the site was destroyed by fire three times

Official site

sites.google.com

Read more about Myōrakuji-temple

Sontai-ji is a historic Jodo-shu temple with imperial connections and notable graves.

What it is

• A Jodo-shu Buddhist temple.
• Founded by Takeda Nobutora.
• Received an imperial plaque in 1533.
• Tokugawa Ieyasu used it as lodging.

What to see

• Main image originally from the imperial court.
• Grave of Okubo Nagayasu in the cemetery.
• Grave of Tomita Buryo in the cemetery.
• Grave of Yamaguchi Sodo in the cemetery.
• A silk scroll is a city cultural property.

Getting there

• 6-minute walk from Kanete Station.

Address

山梨県甲府市城東1-13-17 Map

Read more about Sontai-ji Temple

Shinzoin is a historic Buddhist temple housing significant 16th-century wooden statues, easily accessible from Otsuki Station.

What it is

• A temple of the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism.
• Its mountain name is Iwadono-san.
• Revived in 1645 by Kenko Hoin.
• Principal image is Senju Kannon Bosatsu.

What to see

• Nanasha Gongen standing statues.
• Statues made in the 16th century.
• Carved from a single cypress tree.
• Statues average 2 meters in height.
• Statues are a Prefectural Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 26-minute walk from Otsuki Station.

Address

山梨県大月市賑岡町岩殿160 Map

Read more about Shinzō-in Temple

Hōkō-ji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple with important statues, worth visiting for its cultural heritage.

What it is

• A temple of the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism.
• Dedicated to the Dainichi Nyorai of the Vajradhatu.
• Became the family temple of Yasuda Yoshisada.
• Predecessor was a Tendai sect temple, moved in 1184.

What to see

• A wooden seated statue of Dainichi Nyorai.
• A wooden standing statue of Fudo Myoo from the Heian period.
• A wooden seated statue of Aizen Myoo from the Heian period.
• The main hall, rebuilt during the Kanbun era.

Address

山梨県甲州市塩山藤木2438 Map

Read more about Hōkō-ji Temple

A historic Rinzai temple with ancient roots, a unique juniper, and important cultural properties.

What it is

• A Rinzai sect Myōshin-ji school temple.
• Predecessor of Chōzen-ji Temple in Kofu City.
• Renamed Kochōzen-ji after a split in 1552.
• Principal image is Shaka Nyorai.

What to see

• Wooden seated statue of Musō Soseki, an Important Cultural Property.
• Nationally designated natural monument: a juniper tree.
• Temple grounds are on the former site of Saikō-ji Temple.
• Artifacts from the Kofun period found during excavations.

Address

山梨県南アルプス市鮎沢505 Map

Read more about Kochōzen-ji Temple