Temples in Kumamoto

Kumamoto Prefecture's temples, such as Iō-ji Temple and Tōfuku-ji Temple, offer a mix of quiet reflection and historical architecture. These 25 locations provide diverse experiences for visitors interested in Japan's spiritual heritage.

Not sure where to start? Read our guide to the 20 best

Sanpō-ji Temple

Sanpō-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Sanpoji Temple, founded in 1674, preserves a rare woodblock and honors its founder.

Iō-ji Temple

Iō-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Iō-ji Temple is an ancient Shingon temple with important statues and a connection to the Matsui...

Tōfuku-ji Temple

Tōfuku-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Tōfuku-ji Temple is a historic family temple with important cultural properties related to its f...

Daiji-ji Temple

Daiji-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Daiji-ji is a historic Soto Zen temple in Kumamoto with important cultural properties.

Kōfuku-ji Temple

Kōfuku-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Kōfuku-ji Temple is a historic Zen temple founded in 1357, preserving ancient documents and trea...

Ōjō-in Temple

Ōjō-in Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

A 13th-century Jodo sect temple in Kumamoto featuring historic Jizo statues and ties to the 1877...

Sesshu-ji Temple

Sesshu-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Sesshu-ji Temple is a historic Jodo-shu Buddhist temple with Hosokawa family connections.

Tōfuku-ji Temple

Tōfuku-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Ancient Tendai temple with imperial ties, housing important cultural statues and family graves.

Shōkaku-ji Temple

Shōkaku-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Shokakuji Temple, founded in 1609, is worth visiting for its unique Rokkakudo Sutra Repository a...

Eikoku-ji Temple

Eikoku-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Eikokuji Temple offers ghost tales, a scenic pond, and artifacts from the Satsuma Rebellion.

Jōgyō-ji Temple

Jōgyō-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Jogyoji Temple: a historic Jodo Shinshu temple with notable burials, easily accessible by bus.

Mangan-ji Temple

Mangan-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Mangan-ji Temple is a historic site with ancient trees and cultural properties, worth visiting f...

Shōzen-in Temple

Shōzen-in Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Shōzen-in Temple, also known as Cat Temple, is a historic Shingon-shu temple with unique cat-the...

Aira-ji Temple

Aira-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Aira-ji Temple houses Japan's largest wooden seated statue, a must-see cultural property.

Mōshigi monju-dō Temple

Mōshigi monju-dō Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

A historic temple in Kumamoto, founded in 1593, dedicated to academic success.

Renge-in Tanjō-ji Temple

Renge-in Tanjō-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

A Shingon Ritsu prayer temple re-established in 1930, dedicated to Kōen Daibosatsu.

Saigan-ji Temple (Kumamoto)

Saigan-ji Temple (Kumamoto)

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Saigan-ji Temple, a historic Jodo-shu Buddhist temple, offers a glimpse into Japan's past.

Saiganden-ji Temple

Saiganden-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

This temple, rebuilt in 2022, is dedicated to Kannon and aims to prevent Mt. Aso eruptions.

Shaka-in Temple (Yatsushiro)

Shaka-in Temple (Yatsushiro)

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Shaka-in Temple is a historic Tendai temple with important cultural properties.

Chōju-ji Temple

Chōju-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Chōju-ji is an ancient Tendai temple, home to one of Japan's Three Great Fudō statues.

Unganzen-ji Temple

Unganzen-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Explore a historic Zen temple, cave, and park with samurai connections and scenic views.

Rendai-ji Temple

Rendai-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Rendai-ji Temple, a historic site with unique statues and a well, offers a glimpse into local le...

Jōdō-ji Temple

Jōdō-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Jōdō-ji Temple is a historic Rinzai temple with a significant wooden sculpture, worth visiting f...

Japan Evangelical Lutheran Kumamoto Church

Japan Evangelical Lutheran Kumamoto Church

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Historic Lutheran church in Kumamoto, rebuilt after war, notable for its architecture and resili...

Shōgo-ji Temple

Shōgo-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Shogoji is a Soto Zen temple, once a spiritual anchor for the Kikuchi clan, rebuilt in the 1940s...

Honmyō-ji Temple

Honmyō-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

This temple, founded by Kato Kiyomasa, offers a stone pathway, unique concrete gate, and a histo...

Myōdō-ji Temple

Myōdō-ji Temple

KUMAMOTO · TEMPLE

Myodoji is a historic temple with ancient Buddhist statues and important cultural properties.

Temples elsewhere

See everything by prefecture and type