Temple Spots in Tochigi Area

  • Soshuji Temple (Sanoyakuyoke-daishi)
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    3.5
    142 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Pref. Sanoshi Kanaikamichou 2233
    Sanoyakuyoke-daishi is the popular name of this Tendai Buddhist temple in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. The name was made famous via TV commercials. A protective statue of the priest Ryogen is installed, so the temple has become associated with warding off misfortune. It’s one of the three main Tendai temples of the Kanto region for improving your luck, so every New Year’s Day people pour in for Hatsumode, the first prayers of the New Year.

    佐野に行った帰りに立ち寄りました。 次々に人が参拝にやってきます。 おみくじの自動販売機があって子供たちも 楽しんでひいていました。 いつでも稼働している感じが賑やかでいいですね お祓いをしてもらっている人もいました。 聞いているだけで心鎮まります。

  • Oya-ji Temple (Oya Kannon)
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    4.0
    197 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Pref. Utsunomiyashi Oyamachi 1198
    This Tendai Sect Buddhist temple in Oya Town, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi has been built surrounded by a cavern. Within the temple are 10 stone carvings of buddha carved directly into the cavern wall including Japan’s oldest statue of the goddess Kannon (the Oya thousand-armed Kannon). These historical artifacts have led the temple to have been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, even today the temple draws many visitors.

    We have followed Kobo Daishi around Japan, so no wonder that we came here. The temple was founded by him and the thousand-armed Kannon is said to have been his work. In addition to this figure...

  • Bannaji Temple
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    4.0
    153 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Pref. Ashikagashi Ietomichou 2220
    This Buddhist temple in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, was founded by Ashikaga Yoshikane in 1196. A Shingon sect Dainichi school temple the principle object of worship is Dainichi-Nyorai. The main hall was declared an Important Cultural Property in 1950 and was declared a National Treasure in 2013. The temple is a great place to see the sakura cherry blossoms in the spring and yellow gingko leaves in the fall.

    Being an ancient samurai castle this is a true marvel of Japanese culture and heritage. Beautiful and tranquil.

  • Nikkosan  Chuzen-ji Temple
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    4.0
    95 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Chugushi 2578
    This temple belonging to the Tendai sect located near Lake Chuzenji in Nikko City is a branch temple of Nikko Rinnoji Temple. It began when Shodo Shonin, the founder of the Nikkozan religious sites witnessed Senju-kannon (the thousand arm Kannon goddess) appearing on the lake and carved an image of the Kannon in a standing tree or “tachiki,” which became the principal object of worship at the temple. It is the eighteenth temple in the Bando pilgrimage circuit (comprised of 33 Kannon temples in the Kanto region). People worship the Tachiki Kannon in the hondo (main temple building) as the shoganjoju Buddha, which is believed to grant people’s requests of various kinds, and the mido hall which enshrines Hashiridaikokuten is often visited by people praying for safe childbirth, the return of runaway family members, and to prevent their partner from having an affair.

    There is a very famous and historical big statue of Buddhist Goddess of Mercy with Thousand Arms, which is called Senju Kannon in Japan. This temple registered in UNESCO. When i went here, i was so...

  • Saimyoji Temple
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    4.0
    26 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Pref. Hagagunmashikomachi Mashiko 4469
    This Shingon Buddhist Sect Buzan School Temple in Mashiko City, Tochigi Prefecture is dedicated to the 11-headed Kanzeon Bodhisattva. The gabled thatched two-story gate and three-story pagoda constructed in 1492 and the miniature shine in the main temple hall that is said to be created during the Muromachi period have all been designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. A statue of a laughing Yama (king of Hell) next to the Bodhisattva Jizo who protects those who have fallen to hell is also found here at the temple. The laughing Yama (king of Hell) is said to be the incarnation of the jizo.

    I loved this temple, it was one of my favorite places at Mashikos town mainly because you can be delighted with the lot of nature that surrounds it and the temple itself really makes you feel...

  • Tagesan Fudoson Temple
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    4.0
    24 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Utsunomiya-shi Tagemachi 563
    Records state this ancient Buddhist temple was established in 822. Located halfway up Mt. Tage on the northwest side of Utsunomiya City, the temple's principal object of worship is a statue of Acala, who is viewed as an avatar of Vairocana. The temple holds a fire walking festival, usually on the third Sunday in May, which involves the creation of a massive homa consecrated fire to pray for protection from misfortune, better luck, and sound health. Participation is not limited to adherents of Shugendo ascetic practices, and members of the general public can also participate for free. Utsunomiya is said to be a mecca for cycling, and is the location of the Japan Cup Cycle Road Race, the biggest bicycle race in Asia. In turn, this temple is famous for holding a special ceremony before the race for teams who request it to pray for their safety.

    多氣山不動尊は真言宗智山派 下野の霊場 多氣山不動尊...

  • Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Nikko-shi Sannai 2300
  • Shounji Temple
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    4.0
    10 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Utsunomiya-shi Higashitomatsuri 1-1-16
    This ancient Soto Buddhist temple sprawls just to the north of the Tochigi Prefecture Government Building. The temple's vast, 50 thousand square meter grounds enshrine a statue of Kannon which is the 33rd stop on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. Founded in the Muromachi period, the temple's history stretches back some 550 years. The temple is also famous for its weeping cherry which is over 350 years old. An unending stream of local residents comes to see the ancient tree when it blooms in early April. It is also said that Meiji period prefectural ordinance Mishima Michitsune engaged in cherry blossom viewing parties under the tree with eminent personages from across the prefecture as well as large numbers of geisha from Utsunomiya. The tree has also been selected for inclusion in the Tochigi 100 Famous Trees list and has been designated a Natural Monument by the prefecture.

    宇都宮市散策にて八幡山公園に行く途中にありましたので寄ってみました。季節外れですが、天然記念物枝垂れ桜桜があり、開花シーズンにまた寄ってみたいと思いました◯

  • Rinnoji Temple: Ogomado Hall
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    3.0
    2 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Nikko-shi Sannai 2300
    Nikko's preeminent prayer hall for conducting goma fire rituals. It's behind the Nikko-san Sohondo Sanbutsudo, which was built during the Heian period and is the largest wooden structure in eastern Japan. The principal objects of worship are images of the Five Heavenly Kings made in the middle Heian period. The Great Dragon painted on the ceiling was completed over a two-and-a-half-year period by the late Hokusai Yoshihara, who was nationally recognized for his restoration techniques as national designated color preservation selection technology holder. The inner sanctum is a sight to see with its 30 statues of famous priests and Buddhist deities like the Twelve Devas and Seven Lucky Gods, as well as the Five Heavenly Kings. The temple holds scripture copying sessions of the 276 Chinese characters of the Heart Sutra in the second-floor sermon room.

    輪王寺の三仏堂の後方にある朱色のお堂。大護摩堂の並びに建っていました。 かつて毘沙門天、大黒天、弁財天の開運三天が祀られていたそうです。やや地味な雰囲気でしたが国重要文化財に指定されている凄い建物なんですね。

  • Futarasan-jinja Shrine: Futara Reisen
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    4.0
    6 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Nikko-shi
    This sacred spring is located to the rear of the precincts at Futarasan-jinja Shrine. Futara Reisen consists of the Yakushi Reisen spring which flows from a cave on Mt. Korei rising behind the main shrine, as well as Sake-no-Izumi, a spring flowing from the precincts at Takinoo-jinja Shrine toward the Nishishin-en garden. From ancient times it's been thought to relieve eye diseases, as well as rejuvenate youth and impart wisdom. The adjacent Azumaya tearoom offers beverages prepared with the sacred water like matcha green tea, coffee, and amazake (a sweet fermented rice drink). The water is also regarded as being superb for making sake, and prefectural breweries swear by it. Empty bottles are available for purchase to bring some of the water with you.

    神苑の奥まったところにあります。自由にお水を飲んでよいそうで、おいしいお水でした。ひしゃくはありませんが、隣のお店で水を持ち帰るボトルを売っていました。

  • Izurusan Manganji Temple
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Pref. Tochigishi Izurumachi 288
    This Shingon Buddhist Sect Chizan School Temple in Tochigi City is dedicated to the Thousand-Hand Kanzeon Bodhisattva. It is known as being a powerful spiritual location surrounded by forests and water with perpetual services offered for the deceased, zen meditation, and waterfall meditation. The main temple hall has been designated a Prefectural Cultural Property whereas the Deva gate has been designated a City Cultural Property and the Izuru limestone caverns have been designated as City Natural Monument.
  • Onsen-ji Temple
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Nikko-shi Yumoto
    A temple located in Yumoto, Nikko City. It is a branch temple of Rinnoji Temple on Mt. Nikko, a registered World Heritage site. The origin of this ancient temple is said to date back to 788, when Shodo Shonin, known as the founder of Nikko, discovered hot spring water and enshrined Ruriko-no-Norai, the Medicine Buddha. The temple is also known as one of the few temples in Japan with hot spring facilities on its grounds, and visitors can take a day-trip to the milky white Yakushi-yu hot spring (closed during the winter season).
  • Rinnoji Taiyuin Mausoleum
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai
    The mausoleum of the third shogun of Tokugawa, Iemitsu, located at Nikko-zan Rinno-ji Temple. It was built by the 4th Shogun, Ietsuna, in accordance with Iemitsu's will. Although the color tone is more subdued than that of Toshogu Shrine, there are many important cultural properties such as the massive Nitenmon Gate and the Kokamon Gate that looks like the ryugu Dragon Palace, and the Main Hall is designated as a national treasure. The temple grounds are lined with 315 lanterns, offering a different atmosphere from that of Toshogu Shrine.
  • Kuizome Temple
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    3.0
    4 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Nasu-gun Nasumachi Yumoto 227
    "An ancient temple located at the entrance of Nasu's hot spring district. It is said the temple got its name in the early 1800s when a Kurobane clan princess was cured by prayers there when she fell ill and was unable to eat. The sites of Kyodaiseki and Juzuwari-ishi on the precincts have ties to the famous Buddhist priest Nichiren. The monument dedicated to the Buddhist school's mantra is about 1.2 meters high and 67 centimeters wide. It's said in ancient times Nichiren came to Nasu to recuperate from an illness and carved the mantra ""Namu Myoho Renge Kyo"" into the stone when he was healed. The important monument is the temple's principal object of worship."

    つつじ吊り橋から那須のメイン通りを高速へ向かう途中にありました あまり手入れされている風でも無い小さな神社でした

  • Nikko Toshogu Shrine (Drum Tower and Bell Tower)
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai 2301 Nikko Toshogu
    Bell and taiko drum towers in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. Originally used to tell the time for Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the two watchtower-looking buildings stands stand next to one another just before the Yomeimon gate. While the bell and drum towers may look similar, they are actually minutely different.
  • Sanbutsudo
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai 2300 wheel in Oji
    This building that forms the hondo (main hall) of Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple is the largest wooden structure in Nikkonsan. Said to have been founded in 848 by Ennin (Jikaku Daishi) a high priest of the Tendai sect, the temple appearance is influenced by the style of esoteric Buddhism in the Tendai sect, an unusual form even in Japan. The temple enshrines the “Three Divine Manifestations of Nikko” which also correspond to Nikko’s three mountains: Senjukannon, the Thousand-armed Buddha, Amida Nyorai, the Amida Buddha, and Batoukannon, the Horse-headed Buddha. *Due to ongoing repairs at Sambutsudo, only some may be seen. Visitors can observe the restoration work from the observation tour passageway (elevated corridor).
  • Kezo-in Temple
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    4.0
    2 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Utsunomiya-shi Motoimaizumi 2-3-6

    真言宗のこのお寺の住職は書道の世界でも有名な方です。山門横にある文字や絵は定期的に変わり住職のユニークかつ心に響く言葉が見られます。本堂の天板に住職が書かれた梵字曼荼羅が圧巻です。

  • Shihonryuji Temple (Rinnoji Temple, Mt. Nikko)
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai Within 2300 ringo temple
    A temple in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. Founded in 766 by holy priest Shodo Shonin, who is founder of Nikko. The principle object of worship is the Thousand Hand Kanzeon Bodhisattva. The windows of the temple are in the direction of Mt. Nantai so that the mountain can always be worshipped. The Kannon Hall and three-story pagoda on the grounds have been designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
  • Jogyo-do Hall (Rinnoji Temple, Mt. Nikko)
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Pref. Nikkoushi Sannai Within 2300 ringo temple
    This hall is located in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. Located in the Mt Nikko Rinnoji Temple the hall was constructed by Master Ennin in 848. Facing the hall on the left is Jogyo-do Hall and on the right is Hokke-do Hall. The two are connected by a bridge giving them the unusual appearance of a conjoined hall.
  • Taihei-ji Temple
    Travel / Tourism
    Tochigi Nasukarasuyama-shi Taki 395
    "Records state this ancient Buddhist temple was founded in 803 by Heian period court noble Sakanoue no Tamuramaro. It is said the temple was founded to pray for success during a campaign to subjugate Hokkaido, and to enshrine a thousand-armed statue of Avalokitesvara. Visitors to the grounds can enjoy seasonal sights, including dogtooth violets in spring, fresh verdure in early summer, and fall foliage in autumn. The grave of Oshika-hime, the model for inaugural Naoki Prize-winner Matsutaro Kawaguchi's novel ""Hebihime-sama,"" is also located on the grounds. The temple's Deva gate, moved here in 1672, has been designated a Cultural Property by the city."

Tochigi Areas

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Most visits to Tochigi revolve around Nikko, a small city home to the spectacular, lavishly decorated Toshogu Shrine and Nikko National Park with its mountains, lakes, waterfalls, onsen, and wild monkeys. Neighboring Oku-Nikko is an extension of the fantastic scenery famous for its autumn leaves, while Tochigi’s capital, Utsunomiya, is the only place in the world where you can find oya stone beautifully exhibited in temples and the Oya History Museum.

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