Oya-ji Temple (Oya Kannon) (大谷寺(大谷観音))
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.
Tochigi Pref. Utsunomiyashi Oyamachi 1198 (Utsunomiya / Sakura / KanumaArea)
[Worship times]
[Apr.--Sep.] 8:30-17:00 (Last entry 16:40)
[Oct.--Mar.] 9:00-16:30 (Last entry 16:10)
Details
- Address
- Tochigi Pref. Utsunomiyashi Oyamachi 1198 [map]
- Hours
- [Worship times]
[Apr.--Sep.] 8:30-17:00 (Last entry 16:40)
[Oct.--Mar.] 9:00-16:30 (Last entry 16:10) - Closed
- [Dec.-Mar.]Thursday, 12/21-12/31
- Fees
- [Worship fee]
[Adult] 500yen
[Junior High School Students] 200yen
[Elementary School Students] 100yen
[Worship fee (group discount * 25 people and above)]
[Adult] 400yen
[Junior High School Students] 150yen
[Elementary School Students] 70yen - Parking Lot
- Available (50 spaces, parking lot for large bus 3 spaces)
- Note
- Temporary closure:Currently closed (information as of May 22, 2020)
*Information may be changed, so please be sure to check the official information.
Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN
Access
Tochigi Areas

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.