Temple Spots in Wakayama Area

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Wakayama
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Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Temple

Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine

4.5

554 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Honguchouhongu

This Shinto shrine is one of the Three Head Kumano Shrines which serve as the headquarters of all Kumano shrines nationwide. Known as the first stop on the penance-filled Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage, since ancient times this shrine has been visited by countless worshipers of the Kumano faith, which seeks to achieve self-enlightenment through penance. The main building was erected in the Asuka period and was relocated to its current location after being damaged in the Great Flood of 1889. After climbing 158 stone steps through a cedar forest, the shrine’s four hinoki bark-thatched buildings will appear, which enshrine Ketsumiko no okami and the shrine’s three other chief gods.

This shrine is very nice and even 3 of 5 parts are from origin (saved by the flood) , this worth it to come. You can smell the tree odor in this shrine. Roof are amazing
Kongobuji Aji Kan

4.5

515 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Ito-gun Koyacho Koyasan 132

Absolutely loved the rock garden and the paintings in the sliding doors. This has become one of my favourite temples visited in Japan. It is large and a great one to explore as there is a lot to see...
Negoro-ji Temple

4.5

74 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Pref. Iwadeshi Negoro 2286

Negoro-ji is a complex of temples in Negoro, Iwade City. It is the head temple of the Shingi Shingon sect founded over 900 years ago. The large wooden pagoda within the complex has been designated a national treasure and is the only large wooden stupa to have been designated as such. Visitors are welcome to enter inside and look around. The temple is also a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing.

日本最大の国宝の多宝塔が有名です。駐車場に車を止めて入山料を納め進んでいきます。階段を進んでいくと広い境内、そして正面には江戸末期に再建された大伝法堂があります。その左手に室町時代に建立され、豊臣秀吉の焼き討ちを免れた巨大な多宝塔があります。高さ３７ｍと迫力があります。その他にも、大師堂や行者堂、聖天堂などの重要文化財の建物もあります。また、紅葉が素晴らしく、秋だけでなく、青モミジの時期も素晴らし...
Fudarakusanji Temple

4.0

59 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Prefecture Higashi Muro-gun Nachikatsura-cho Hamanomiya 348

This temple is about three minutes on foot from JR Nachi Station. From the ninth to the eighteenth centuries, priests would fill their boats with 30 days' worth of provisions including food and oil and set out for Fudaraku, the mythical location of Kannon's Pure Land believed to be in the far southern seas. This temple is known as the starting point of the voyage. In 2004 the temple was recognized as part of the World Heritage Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range. The principal object of worship is a Sanbojuichimen Senju Sengen Kannon Bosatsu image that's an Important Cultural Property. You can also view a replica of the boats they used for the voyage and the grave marker of the priests who attempted the trip.

「にっぽん丸」クルーズで観光タクシーを利用して散策した際に貸切時間に余裕があったので運転手さんに勧められて訪問しました。那智三所大神社に隣接して「神仏分離」を免れた希少な歴史遺産でした。過去の住職が9世紀から18世紀までの間に20以上試みられている南の洋上に補陀落浄土を求め死を賭して漕ぎ出す信仰の補陀落渡海で使用された渡海船の復元船が境内に展示されていました。撮影は不可でしたが本堂の中には美しい曼...
Okunoin Temple

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Pref. Itogunkouyachou Kouyasan

"One of the Two Great Holy Sites of Mt. Koyasan, this land is where Kukai (Kobo Daishi) died while meditating. There is also a mausoleum where Kukai is said to still be meditating today. On the two-kilometer approach path that connects to the mausoleum features cedar trees which are 700 years old, as well as over 200,000 gravestones and memorial monuments of royalty to commoners. The toro lantern tower in front of the mausoleum is a must-see. At the front on the inside, the Kishin lanterns devoted by Kishin shonin and the Shirakawa lanterns devoted by the Emperor Shirakawa have remained burning for over 1000 years as an ""unquenched flame."" The area ahead of the Gobyo bridge closest to the mausoleum is holy land, so taking photographs is prohibited."
Kongoho-ji Gokoku-in (Kimiidera Temple)

3.0

6 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Pref. Wakayamashi Kimidera 1201

This temple in Kimiidera Temple, Wakayama, was originally founded in 770 AD by Ikou shounin, a travelling priest from China. The two-story pagoda, bell tower, and tower gate on the grounds have been designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. There are also 500 cherry trees planted on the grounds that are known for being early bloomers. One of the cherry blossom trees planted before the main hall of the temple is used as one of the specimen trees to determine the cherry blossom season.

階段を上りきり、暑かったので、冷たいものでも食べながら休憩と思い、店内に入りました。メニューも見当たらなかったので、座ることなく、すぐに出ました。
Kongo Sanmai-in

4.5

47 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Pref. Itogunkouyachou Kouyasan 425

Hojo Masako ordered Kongo Sanmai-in to be built while in mourning for her husband, Minamoto no Yoritomo, and her son, Sanetomo. It is the site of numerous historical Cultural Properties of Japan and the temple is one of the core causes of Mt. Koya being registered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors will be overpowered by the lingering atmosphere of the Kamakura-period that resides in this place. It is five-minutes by cable car from the Nankai Railway Gokurakubashi Station.

While it’s not necessarily in the itineraries of many of travel to Kansai for the first time, Koyasan is definitely worth a trip away from the giant tourist crowds at Osaka and Wakayama upon a repeat...
Miedo

4.0

44 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Ito-gun Koyacho Koyasan 152

"The Miedo is a 15.1-meter-depth by 15.1-meter-wide building with a hogyozukuri-style pent roof. An image of Kobo Daishi's ten great disciples is hung in the hall's outer sanctum. The hall, which is located behind Kongobuji Temple's Kondo Hall, was originally built to enshrine Kobo Daishi's personal Buddha statue. After his death, however, an image of him painted by Shinnyo Shinno, one of Kobo Daishi's ten principle disciples, was enshrined in the hall. This is the origin of the name of the hall, which means ""image hall."" The Miedo is considered to be the most sacred place in Koyasan, so regular visitors are not normally able to view the image. However, the outer sanctuary is currently opened to the general public on March 21st in the lunar calendar every year during a ceremony held on the night before anniversary of the death of Kobo Daishi."

壇上伽藍で根本大塔のすぐわきに建っている風格のある建物です。弘法大師・空海の肖像（御影）が祀られている聖域とのことです。御影は一般に公開されず、特別の法要で一部の高僧のみに御開帳される秘仏だそうです。
Dojo-ji Temple

4.5

6 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Pref. Hidakagunhidakagawachou Kanemaki 1738

Located in Kanemaki, Hidakagawa Town, this Buddhist temple was founded in 701 and is the oldest in Wakayama. The temple’s principal object of worship, a thousand-armed figure of Kannon, is over 1,300 years old and one of the oldest in Japan. This and two other designated National Treasures are housed in the temple’s treasure hall, as well as 11 Important Cultural Properties, and four prefecturally-designated Cultural Properties, all of which are viewable by visitors year-round.

時間の関係から本堂内の拝観は叶いませんでしたが、外から本堂内正面を窺う事が出来ました。又、裏手に回ってみると「道成寺の七不思議」の内、⑤-⑦が掲示されており、33年に一度だけ御開帳される「秘仏千手観音像」についてイラスト付きで紹介されていました。
Seiganto-ji Temple

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Pref. Higashimurogunnachikatsurachou Nachisan 8

A Tendai sect Buddhist temple which is the first station on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. Once a great Shugendo Shinto-Buddhist temple dedicated to Nachi Falls, it was divided into the Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine and Seiganto-ji Temple with the official order separating Buddhism and Shintoism in the country. The temple has long been a holy place in the Kumano faith, which seeks self-enlightenment through the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage. The temple’s main object of worship, a figure of Cintamanicakra, is said to have been found at the basin of Nachi Falls and enshrined here by Ragyo, a priest who came to Japan from India during the reign of Emperor Nintoku (313-399). The vermillion three-tier pagoda behind the main temple nave harmonizes with the falls and creates a beautiful (and popular) photo spot.
Kumagaiji Temple

4.5

25 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Ito-gun Koyacho Koyasan 501

This temple was established on the wishes of Prince Kazurawara, the third son of Emperor Kanmu. Although located in Koyasan, the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism, the temple is counted as one the unnumbered temples of the 25 Sacred Sites of Honen Shonin, the founder of Pure Land Buddhism. The temple, which currently serves as lodgings for temple visitors, is adjacent to the Ichinohashi-guchi bus stop that leads to Koyasan Okunoin Temple. The name of the temple comes from the Heian period soldier Kumagai Naozane, who appears in the Tale of the Heike. The temple is where Kumagai performed a memorial service for the young warrior Taira-no-Atsumori, who he slew in single combat. Notable monks such as Honen and Shinran, the founder of Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land Buddhism) have also stayed at the temple. Honen, Shinran, and Naozane each carved statues of their images reflected in the surface of the temple's well during their visits. Each of these statues was enshrined in the temple's Enkodo Hall.

We stayed at Kumagaiji for one night and it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Japan. We were warmly welcomed and given all of the information that we needed. Our room was warm...
Yochiin Temple

4.0

25 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Ito-gun Koyacho Koyasan 293

This lodging temple located next to Koyasan's Chumon gate offers accommodations to visitors. The temple was founded during the Kamakura period by Imperial Prince Kakuho, the fourth son of Emperor Shirakawa. The temple would be visited by Emperor Gosaga, who was so impressed by the sight of the cherry blossoms reflected on the garden pond that it would lead to the characters in the temple's name being changed. The temple's main hall is a rare example of surviving Kamakura period building. The temple serves shojin ryori (the traditional vegetarian cuisine of Japanese Buddhist monks) as well as alcoholic beverages such as Japanese sake and beer. The temple is also conveniently located next to sightseeing spots such as the Danjo Garan and the Reihokan Museum. Visitors can invigorate their mind and body at the temple's early-morning religious services before heading off to enjoy sightseeing in Koyasan.

A very basic welcome in a poor English , all the building except the room is very cold, the room is the same, basic and poor, but with 2 good futons! No possibility to have a diner and shower...
Kongobuji Temple

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Pref. Itogunkouyachou Kouyasan 132

"The main temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect, this temple is the core of Mt. Koyasan, holy land of the Shingon Esoteric Buddhism founded by Kukai (Kobo Daishi). This place is functioned as temple office for the whole of Mt. Koyasan. The best features include the lacquer paintings of the Kano school and the Unkoku school in the main hall which has a characteristic cypress-thatched roof, and the ""Banryutei"" which is one of the largest stone gardens in the country. In this stone garden, the cloud sea is represented by white pebbles, while two dragons, male and female, are depicted protecting the inner shrine."
Kokoku-ji Temple

4.5

16 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Pref. Hidakagunyurachou Monzen 801

Originally founded as a Shingon-sect temple called Saihouji temple in 1227 this temple in Yura Town, Hidaka County, Wakayama, is now a Rinzai-sect Buddhist temple affiliated with the Myojin-ji school. It converted to a Zen Buddhist temple in 1258 before later becoming a famous temple in the Rinzai-sect. The area is famous as being the birthplace of Kinzanji-miso, soy-sauce, and the shakuhachi bamboo flute. While the temple treasure is kept secret, it is home to other Important Cultural Properties of Japan including a masterpiece seated statue and a silk painting of Master Kokushi, both from the Kamakura period. The Tengu Festival held every January on the Coming of Age Day and the Fire Festival held August 15th always draw large numbers of visitors.

天狗堂の大きな天狗面が特徴的な臨済宗寺院でした。紀伊由良駅から徒歩10分程かかりましたが、参道に向かう交叉点には大きな天狗の標識もあり迷う事はありませんでした。きちんと整備された境内は広くオフシーズンでも参拝者が目立っていました。
Kokawa-dera Temple

4.0

1 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Pref. Kinokawashi Kokawa 2787

This temple is located in Kokawa, Kinokawa City. It is the third pilgrimage site of the “Saikoku Sanjusansho” pilgrimage that takes visitors to various holy sites associated with Kannon. It was constructed at the end of the Nara period in 770 by Otomo no Kujiko. The main temple building was rebuilt in 1720, and it features a very rare design that combines a single-roof worship hall with a double-roof main hall, making it an Important Cultural Property.

粉河寺本堂を正面に見れば右手の道筋を進みます。中は見られませんが薬師如来を祀っています。最近あちこちと痛み出してきているので、この機会にお祈りさせていただきました。
Chohoji Temple

4.0

12 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Kainan-shi Shimotsucho Kami 689

This temple in Shimotsu-cho, Kainan City was built in the year 1000 on the order of Emperor Ichijo. The temple grounds cover about 33,000 square meters and include the mausoleum for generations of the Kishu Tokugawa family, the largest feudal lord graveyard in Japan. It is also the only temple other than Horyuji Temple that has a main temple building, a tahoto (two-stories) pagoda, and a large front gate that are designated as National Treasures.

何も期待せず、訪れましたが、良かったです。昨年の台風の影響で一部の施設が見学出来ませんでしたが、それでも眺め良し。
Kozanji Temple

4.0

9 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Inarichou 392

This ancient temple that overlooks downtown Tanabe is of the Omuro School of the Shingon Sect and is said to be founded be saint Kobodaishi (Kukai). Famous for the Sakura blossoms, many visitors come to worship and enjoy the annual Kozanji Temple Spring Festival. On the grounds is a rare, even for Japan, two-story pagoda honoring Prince Shotoku (known as Uenomiya Taishi), and also a shell mound unearthed from the prehistoric early Jomon period. On the coastal side, are the graves of the biologist, Kumagusu Minakata said to be the father of mycology, and the founder of the self-defense art, Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei.

有名なお寺というわけではないですけど、庭園はとてもきれいでよかったです。静かな場所ですので、ゆっくりと庭園をみれることができたので気分よくなりました。こういう所が増えればいいのに。
Sukumadani Kannon Temple

4.0

8 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Pref. Nishimurogunkamitondachou Ikuma 313

This temple with a roughly 1,300-year history is about 25 minutes by car from the spa town of Nanki-Shirahama Onsen. It was established by En-no-Gyoja, the founder of the mountain ascetic practice known as Shugendo. The temple's principal object of worship is Bato Kanzeon Bosatsu. It is said to be the oldest and largest sacred spot for better fortune and warding off evil in southern Wakayama Prefecture, and can accommodate whatever wish you may have. It is also known for its cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, and autumn leaves. In addition to monthly Goma fire rituals, their prayer and memorial services held throughout the year are open to all.

１月の三連休であったので初詣客でにぎわっていました。たまたま、秘仏御開帳が行われていて、新年からラッキーでした。
Hosshinmon Oji

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Honguchoumikoshi 1652-1

Hosshinmon Oji is one of the 99 shrines on the Kumano Sanzan pilgrimage route. Of these 99 shrines, five are considered to be the most prestigious and are called the Gotai Oji, of which Hosshinmon Oji is one. The walking path from Hosshinmon Oji to the Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine is a popular route because it has many gentle downhill slopes.
Honganji Temple Saginomori Betsuin

3.0

6 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Wakayama Pref. Wakayamashi Saginomori 1

This Temple is situated a five-minute walk from Nankai Wakayama-shi Station on the Nankai Railway. The eighth head of the Honganji Temple in Kyoto, Rennyo Shonin, founded it for the purpose of spreading Jodo Shinshu Buddhism to Kii Province (Wakayama Prefecture). Built in 1476, it is considered a historical treasure in itself, but its storehouse contains priceless items, such as paintings of seated Shinran Shonin (the founder of the sect) and Rennyo Shonin (the restoration of the sect) and its endorsement and the only remaining complete set of five volumes of the sacred texts published by Shonyo Shonin. In the present day, the temple publishes materials designed to popularize the rituals, including funeral rites, of the Honganji sect of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and to explain the sect's beliefs.

孫市まつりの会場になっていました。本堂では、紀州徳川家に関する歴史の講演が開かれており、興味を持って聞くことができました。

Wakayama

Wakayama City Suburbs Mt. Koya / Ryujin Onsen / Kudoyama Kainan / Arita / Minabe / Tanabe Shirahama Kumano Kodo / Hongu Kushimoto / Koza / Susami Nachikatsuura / Taiji / Shingu

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour Temple

Wakayama Areas

Wakayama prefecture unites pilgrims, food lovers, and culture buffs in a tranquil corner of Japan at the base of the Kii Peninsula. The setting for many a Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail, Wakayama invites those in search of spirituality from one side of the prefecture to the other, from the 100-plus Buddhist temples of the sacred Mount Koya in the west to the inspiring temples of the Kumano Sanzan set among breathtaking nature in the east. Once the grueling hike is complete, make a beeline for Wakayama city to savor some of the country’s most delicious ramen noodles.