Temple Spots in Niigata Area

Area

Niigata
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  Fukuoka
  
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  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Temple

Saifukuji Temple (Kaisando)

4.5

95 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Uonumashi Oura 174

Sekijyozan Saifukuji Temple is a temple opened during the late Muromachi period in 1534. The Kaisando for worshipping images of Kaisan and Dogen Zenji—founder of Soto sect—is famous for its numerous wonderful sculptures, paintings, and lacquerware that can be called great works of Uncho Ishikawa, a famous craftsman from the end of the Shogunate. It is often called “Echigo Nikko” for its similarity to the collection of works at Toshogu in Nikko. About five minutes by car via Koide Interchange on the Kan-etsu Expressway.

石川雲蝶の作品を見に、年配の親と行きました。杖はダメとの事でしたが、お寺の杖を貸してくださいます。開山堂は、本堂から渡り廊下で行きました。外見も独特ですが、内側も凄い迫力ですね、音声ガイドを聞きながら、イスに座って天井の彫刻を鑑賞しました。因みに寝転び禁止です。写真では何やらゴテゴテした感じに見えましたが、実物は、とても生き生きとした景色て魅力的です。技術的に上手なのはもちろんですが...
Rinsenji Temple

4.0

57 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Jouetsushi Nakamonzen 1-1-1

Rinsenji Temple is a temple of the Soto sect located in Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture. Uesugi Kenshin, a military commander during the Sengoku (Warring States) period, spent time and studied here as child between the ages of 7 and 14. The temple was founded in 1497 by Kenshin’s grandfather, Nagao Yoshikage, as a memorial to his late father, following which the temple became a family temple for both Nagao and Uesugi. The temple grounds are home to a splendid main gate, said to have been moved from the back gate of Kasugayama Castle. Visitors will also find the graves of the Uesugi family and memorial tower, and the Fureashi Kannon statue, said to make strong legs when touched with the feet.

往時を彷彿とする山門が立派です。目的だった宝物館は肝心の謙信像がコピーで残念です。お庭にお花が可愛く咲いていて美しい。ここの駐車場から春日山城に登る裏ルートがあります。
Untouan Temple

4.5

48 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Minamiuonumashi Untou 660

Untouan is a Buddhist temple belonging to the Soto School that is situated in the foothills of Mt. Kinjo, in the Unto district of Minamiuonuma City. It was founded by Uesugi Norizane in the Muromachi period, and rebuilt in 1707. Tradition has it that text from the Lotus Sutra was inscribed on the underside of every flagstone on the path that leads up to the main hall of the temple, so that visitors to the temple who followed this route on their way to worship at the main hall could accumulate merit in the process. The Untouan temple is famous as the place where Uesugi Kagekatsu and Naoe Kanetsugu were educated as boys.

Wow, in the mountains & surrounded by forrest. It could be the movie set and center of a adventures story or just about monks. Huge trees, silent, tranquil. If you like nature and temple, this is the...
Eirinji Temple

4.0

35 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Uonumashi Negoya 1765

Eirinji is a Buddhist temple belonging to the Soto School that is located in the Negoya district of Uonuma City. According to tradition, the famous woodcarver Ishikawa Uncho (Minamoto no Masateru), who was active in the Bakumatsu period and in the early years of the Meiji period, lost a bet with Abbot Enno Bensho the 22nd, and as a result stayed at the Eirinji Temple for 13 years, creating large numbers of carvings for the temple. Today, the Eirinji Temple still has over 100 carvings by Ishikawa Uncho, including ranma (openwork screens), etc., and many people visit the temple for the express purpose of viewing these masterpieces.

お寺に入って、おばさんに入場料を支払い、拝観ガイド兼パンフレット1枚もらう。パンフレットに番号が書いてあり、各自作品と照らし合わせる。みんな上の方を見ながらウロウロと探し歩く。噂の天女を見つけると、目が釘付けになった。何というか、吸い込まれそうなカンジ。のびやかで華やかで、艶めかしい。写真では、「どうかな？」って思っていたが、実物は数倍凄かった。はるばる見に来て良かった
Gochi Kokubunji Temple

3.5

30 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Jouetsushi Gochi 3-20-21

This Tendai Sect Buddhist temple is a 20-minute walk from Naoetsu Station on the Tokimeki Railway Myoko Haneuma Line. The principle objects of worship at the temple are Mahavairocana, Bhaisajyaguru, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, and Guatama Buddha. It is said that the temple was revived at its current location on the orders of Uesugi Kenshin in 1562. The current temple was re-built in 1997 in accordance with ancient traditions with a modest exterior and dignified interior. In the temple grounds are an unfinished three-tiered pagoda and a thatched hut that was made by the saint Shinran. A seated statue of Shinran is enshrined inside the hut.

越後国分寺の法統を引き継ぐ寺院です。見どころは新潟県指定の文化財でもある三重塔、江戸時代に建てられたようですね。悠久の時の流れを感じさせるお寺です。
SEISUI Temple

4.5

19 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Niigata Sado-shi Niibo-ono 124-1

The magic and spiritual feel of Kyoto on an island in the sea of Japan. This place is worth a quick visit for anyone visiting Sado. Walk up the broken moss-covered stairs lined with massive cedar...
Chokokuji Temple

4.5

19 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Sadoshi Hase 13

This ancient Shingon sect Buzan-ha temple just a 30-minute drive from Ryotsu port and was founded by Gyoki or Kobo Daishi (Kukai). The Gochido Hall, a Cultural Property of Niigata Prefecture, is also known as the two-story pagoda. There are only a few of these buildings in Japan where the inner sanctum use a 'Daito' pagoda structure with a circular plane. There are also many other cultural assets such as the Eleven-Headed Kannon Statues, which are also National Important Cultural Properties. This temple is also known as the temple of flowers because of its Azalea, Hydrangeas, and other flowers. Every year they hold their Chokokuji Temple Peony Festival where you can enjoy peonies in full bloom on the grounds and along the paths.

Besides the temple being a beautiful spot, the bunnies were adorable! There was a huge statue of a rabbit kannon (the goddess of mercy) and tons of little rabbits nibbling the grass at her feet.
Rengebuji Temple

4.5

12 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Niigata Sado-shi Kobie 182

A famous Buddhist temple believed to have been founded by the great Kobo Daishi which stands northeast of Kyoto, thus meaning it guarded the imperial palace from the influences of this unlucky direction. It is believed to have been founded around 806 in the Daido period, and, modeled after the Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei, it was known as the “Little Mt. Hiei.” Records state Emperor Saga ordered it to be built, and, together with the Kongoji and Muroji Temple, it is considered one of the three most sacred Shingon Buddhist sites. In addition to the Kobodo hall and Kondo main temple, 16 structures on the grounds have been designated National Tangible Cultural Property. From late June through early July, some 7,000 hydrangeas on the grounds come into stunning bloom, and thus this temple is also widely known as the “Hydrangea Temple.”

小比叡山蓮華峰寺（こびえさんれんげぶじ）は、新潟県佐渡市小比叡（にいがたけんさどしこびえ）にある真言宗智山派の寺だ。本尊は、聖観音菩薩（しょうかんのんぼさつ）空海の開山とされ、金剛寺、室生寺とともに真言の三大聖地の一つとされる。 7,000株のアジサイが一斉に開花する様子が見事なため、別名アジサイ寺とも呼ばれている。 2021年7月3日、この日は度津神社（わたつじんじゃ）に参拝した。そこか...
Kankoji Temple

4.0

12 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Minamiuonumashi Uwano 267

This Zen Buddhist temple has historical ties to the Uesugi clan, the deputy shoguns of the Kanto region, and to the Ueda Nagao clan. The primary object of worship of the temple, which belongs to the Kamakura Engaku-ji? school, is Shakyamuni Buddha (Gautama Buddha). The temple is said to have been founded in 1410 by the monk Kakuosoden, the son of Uesugi Noriaki. The temple was relocated to Yonezawa in 1600 along with Uesugi Kagekatsu's forced relocation there. After being destroyed in a fire, the temple was rebuilt in its current location during the Kanbun era (around 1661 to 1673). The temple's main gate, which belonged to the Sakai Clan of the Awa-Katsuyama Domain, was donated and relocated to the temple in 2009. The gatekeeper's station on the gate's left side still gives it the stately appearance of the gate to a samurai residence. The temple also possesses a rare rotating bookshelf called kyozou, containing a complete set of the Obaku school's version of the Buddhist scriptures. The main temple building has a Japanese rock garden? in front, which is unusual for the Minamiuonuma area.

Now undergoing some repairs, this impressive temple and monastery is well worth the visit. It must be so cold and covered with snow in winter, but beautiful now. Check the nicely kept buildings...
Saishoji Temple

4.5

11 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Nagaokashi Teradomarinodumi 8996

This ancient temple of the Shingon sect of Buddhism was opened by Gyoki Bosatsu in the year 733. It is a 30-minute taxi ride from Tsubamesanjou Station on the Bullet Train. Amida Nyorai Buddha is the principle deity of worship here and is normally kept from public viewing except once every 12 years on the Year of the Rat when it is unveiled. Furthermore, what is believed to be the oldest mummified monk in Japan, Kochi Houin is enshrined here which you can see (with an entry fee). The treasure hall contains a wooden statue of the monk and the mummy of a raijuu cat as well as long songs signed by the departed high priest Ryokan, all of which are free to see.

長岡市内から少し離れた、寺泊漁港寄りにあります。国道４０２号沿いですが、かなり車で上ります。敷地はとても広く、加藤清正や田中角栄の書状、雷獣のミイラ等が見られる宝物殿だけの見学であれば無料です。しかしここの目玉はなんといっても弘智法印の即身仏。拝観料５００円を払って見る価値は十分です。見学者私一人のために、住職様はわざわざお経をあげて、法印様を拝ませてくださいました。法印様がいらっしゃるお堂の前に...
Otsu Takara Ji

4.5

11 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Niigata Tainai-shi Kinoto 1112

We are heading north of Niigata on our way to the very old onsens at Nyuto. We looked for temples and pagodas of significance for this part of the journey. Dating back to 736 this Shinto and Buddhist...
Kunigamidera Temple

4.0

12 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Tsubameshi Kugami 1407

This Shingon Buddhist temple is halfway up Mt. Kugamiyama, a 15-minute drive from Bunsui Station on the JR Echigo Line. Founded in year 709 it is the oldest temple in the prefecture. The temple is dedicated to the Amitabha Buddha which is revealed only once out of every 12 years, the Year of the Rat. It is said that Uesugi Kenshin would pray for victory here and that praying here can bring various benefits such as warding off evil, wishes being answered, and safe travel. In 1914 the hut in which monk Ryokan secluded himself during the latter part of the Edo period was rebuilt and it is still open for viewing today. Further legends regarding Yoshitsune and Shuten-Doji surround the temple.

弥彦村の観音寺の御朱印をいただきに国上寺に向かいしました。国上寺と観音寺の御朱印はそれぞれ３００円でした。越後最古の名刹だそうで、とても趣のある、歴史あるお寺だということを感じました。駐車場は無料ですが、わりと混んでいます。
Hoko-ji Temple

4.0

10 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Niigata Shibata-shi Suwacho 2-4-17

"This old temple is said to date back to the years between 1583 to 1595. This temple was built to enshrine Mizoguchi Hidekatsu, the founding father of the Shibata Han domain, and became the family shrine of the clan. The ""weeping"" shidare cherry tree that blooms in the temple grounds, called the Jotokutsu no Sakura, is said to be a donation from Tokugawa Iemitsu, and so presumably about 380 years old. In the viewing season most years, it's filled with sightseers, and is a symbol of Shibata spring. The temple also holds a zazen group every Saturday evening, where visitors can practice zazen and walking meditation, as well as enjoy a tea party (please enquire directly to join)."

新発田藩祖溝口秀勝公が開祖した曹洞宗の寺院で溝口家の菩提寺だそうです。寺町通りから総門（扁額は城東法窟）を入り、その先に大きな山門（扁額は廣澤山）、新潟県随一の山門・二重楼門・新発田市指定有形文化財で、空にそそり立つようで大迫力があります。山門の両側は回廊になっていました。歴代藩主の墓所や資料等があるそうですが、残念ながら冬季のため閉館中でした。山門をくぐり本堂前には自由に行けました。晩秋であった...
Jikoji Temple

4.5

8 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Niigata Gosen-shi Hiruno 870

An ancient temple of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism located at the foot of the holy mountain Mt. Hakusan. While its exact founding date is yet unknown it's believed to have been a center of the Hakusan faith since ancient times. The current temple hall was reconstructed after a fire in 1755. Jikoji Temple has the best maintained seven-structured temple compounds in the prefecture and is extremely rare as a Soto sect temple with a remaining cloister. Along with the main hall, the priest quarters, main temple gate, cloister, and scripture house are all registered as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan. Cedars, some said to be over 400 years old, line the path from the Ogonno Sato Meeting hall at the base of the temple grounds to the temple and amidst the dignified atmosphere you can feel the long history of Jikoji Temple.

今回は、五泉市観光ガイド協会主催の、「浄心体験」に参加しました。旧村松町、黄金の里会館の駐車場に停めて、滝谷川沿いにスギ並木を歩いていくと、左手にあります。白山の麓にあり、新潟市内にある白山神社と関係があるそうです。曹洞宗のお寺ですので、禅寺です。開祖は楠木正成のお孫さんだそうです。坐禅と写経をさせていただきました。坐禅は壁に向かいながら行います。面壁と言うそうです。また、足は両足...
Banjindo

4.0

9 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Kashiwazakishi Banjin 2-10-42

Banjindo is an external Buddha hall of Nichirenshu Myoko Temple located on a hill overlooking the Sea of Japan in Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture. It is said that the Buddhist priest, Nichiren, prayed here in 1274 for the return of 30 guardian deities. From the temple grounds visitors can see the city area, the magnificent Sea of Japan, the mountains of Yahiko, and Sado Island. The view from here of the setting sun is especially memorable. It is also a popular temple to visit during the New Year. The current temple was rebuilt after the original burned down in the Meiji period. The carving on the wall of the main hall is especially worth a look.

幸せになると言われている彫刻の一羽の蝶を探したけれど、見つかりませんでした。柏崎港を見下ろす眺望がGOODであり、中でも桜の開花時期は特にお勧めで私も桜の開花時期に毎年，訪れています。また、大晦日から元日にかけての二年参りには大勢の方が訪れます。近年では歴史小説作家である藤原緋沙子さんの著書である「番神の梅」の舞台となった場所としてもおなじみ、、、
Hokkeshu Sohonzan Honjo-ji

3.5

5 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Sanjoushi Nishihonjouji 1-1-20

Honjo-ji Temple in Sanjo City is the head temple of the Hokkeshu, Jinmon school of Buddhism. It is located directly west of the JR Sanjo Station. It was founded in 1297, by Nichiin, one of Nichiro's disciples, who was himself, a disciple of Nichiren. The current main hall was built in the Meiji period, and the seven magnificent buildings - the main hall, guest house, bell tower, pagoda, Senbutsudo, Banjindo and main gate are all contained within temple compound, covering almost five acres of land. There is also a garden within the compound, called the Sankien, which is maintained by the city residents and the temple's followers. In the fall, the autumn leaves have an almost otherworldly appearance.

1297年に日蓮大聖人の法孫である日印尊聖人が鎌倉から各地へ布教をしていてこの地で牛が動かなくなり、また清水が湧きだし、青蓮華が咲いたことから領主の山吉氏の助力を得てこの地に寺を建立し「根本道場」としたのが始まりです。私が行った日は日朗尊聖人の700御遠忌（亡くなられてから700年）を行っていました。日朗尊聖人というのは日蓮の弟子であり、本成寺の開祖日印の師である方になり、山号寺名の長久山本成...
Honganji Kokufu Betsuin Temple

4.0

2 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Niigata Joetsu-shi Kokufu 1-7-1

Established in 1798, the all-zelkova wood structure of this Buddhist temple was built 1805. The temple stands on the site of the Takegahana Soan, a thatched hut in which the great priest Shinran lived with his family until his departure for the Kanto region. The extremely narrow inner sanctum is built in the “denaijin” style. The inner sanctum is decorated in an extremely unusual manner, with the temple’s principal object of worship and a miniature shrine dedicated to Shinran placed on the same dais at the front. A statue of Shinran stands on the grounds as well as a pine tree which the priest is said to have hung is religious stole when giving sermons.

浄土真宗宗祖親鸞聖人が越後配流時にここでお住まいになり、その跡地に建てられた寺院です。浄土真宗の門徒には聖地といって良いエリアかもしれませんね。現在は浄土真宗本願寺派に属しています。
Jissoji Temple

3.0

1 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Niigata Sado-shi Nosawa 856

According to records, for two and a half years from 1272, the great monk Nichiren, having been banished to Ichinosawa, recited the lotus sutra at this Buddhist temple each morning. Beyond the temple’s thatched roof Deva gate, visitors are welcomed by the moss-covered temple approach. A statue on the grounds depicts a standing Nichiren as he looked each morning thinking of his parents in his home of Awa Province. It is recorded that Nichiren would stand on the hill here, hang his monk’s stole on an old pine, ritually rinse his mouth using water from a spring below the cliff, and express his thanks for the tender care his parents had given him. Temple treasures such as its wooden statues of the two Deva kings, framed depiction of the Sanbaso dance, and annotated and illustrated Avalokitesvara Sutra are all registered as prefectural or municipal Cultural Properties.

日蓮ゆかりの寺。門までコケの生えた道はとても風情があり、京都の寺ような雰囲気です。「袈裟掛けの松」があり、それを狩野派の絵師が描いているようです。
Tochiomata Onsen Yakushido

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Uonumashi Yunoya Kami Origami 66

This Yakushido Hall is located on the grounds of the Jizaikan hot spring inn on Prefectural Route 299 in Kamioritate, Uonuma City. People seeking hot spring cures have long prayed here for recovery from their illnesses. The hall's sacred trees, the 400-year-old Komochi Sugi (parenthood cedar) and the Meoto Keyaki (husband and wife Zelkova), are believed to grant prayers for the blessing of children. Visitors seeking this blessing make offerings of ema (wooden votive tablets) affixed with Kewpie dolls.
Midama Fudoson Temple

Travel / Tourism

Nigata Pref. Nakauonumaguntsunanmachi Akinari 9761

This temple is located in Akinari, Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma County. It is said to have been built in 1186 to enshrine Acala, by Seisazaemon Miyamoto, a retainer of Kiyomori Taira. Many people come here to pray for healthy eyesight, since it has been said to have a healing effect on the eyes since ancient times. Currently, all five great wisdom kings, the Vidyaraja, who protect the four cardinal directions, including Vajrayaksa and Kundali, are enshrined here.

Niigata

Murakami / Shibata Niigata / Aga Yahiko / Sanjo Nagaoka Yuzawa / Uonuma Myoko / Joetsu Sado

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour Temple

Niigata Areas

Found along the northwestern coast of Japan, Niigata prefecture is celebrated for its high-quality rice and breathtaking nature, most notably its spectacular mountains, whose white peaks draw in snow sports lovers from far and wide over the winter months. Hit the slopes at Yuzawa, pick out your favourite modern artist at Echigo Tsumari, or take a ferry over to Sado Island for an extra adventure.