Kousanji
Kousanji things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Description
cultural
outdoor
family friendly
Kōsan-ji is a Hongan-ji school Jōdo Shinshū temple on the island of Ikuchijima in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
attractions: The Hill Of Hope, Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art, Azumi Setoda, Kongo Gallery - Kosanji Annex, Choonzan Park, Chou Sei Kaku, Kosanji, Kawazuhana Park, restaurants: Chidori shokudo, Kaneyoshi, Okatetsu Store, Burger Go Rock'n, Sayo, 桂馬, Aori Restaurant, Matsusige Liquor & Okonomiyaki, Shiomachi-tei Bicycle Cafe + Bar, MINATOYA
Ratings
Description
Kōsan-ji is a Hongan-ji school Jōdo Shinshū temple on the island of Ikuchijima in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.
Plan your stay
Posts
Temple grounds with plenty of beautifully created buildings, much more colourful than the usual brown wooden cookie-cutter ones across Japan. They also have an ominous underground cave with statues and paintings of the Buddhist concepts of enlightment and hell. Recently, a modern sculpture-themed area opened at the top of a hill connected to the temple grounds. A great place for photos, but the entry fee is absurdly high at 1400 yen. It's probably to help maintain all the different exhibits though.
Chris ChanChris Chan
10
The ticket costs 1400yen. I think that's too much. I had one hour to kill until check in at my hotel started and I couldn't continue cycling, so I decided to visit this temple/museum. The buildings look nice. Most of them have a nice orange color. It looks a little bit corny, but for me it was still ok. The art exhibition is looking kind of sad. There is an art piece like every 3 meters. It looks a little bit as if those vases are social distancing. They aren't exactly stunning eighter. I still spent 15 minutes in that pavilion because it is nice and cool and provides great shade. Next I went to the cave of 1000 Buddhas. That cave was almost cold but there is a warning at the entrance. The pictures at the walls are quite graphically depicting hell. I think that kind of fear mongering about eternal doom feels like it fell out of time. After the cave came an area with a lot of white stone (I think it's marble, but I'm not an expert in stones) and I mean a lot of it. It kinda made your eyes hurt. At the top is a small café a with great sorbet, though. Maybe I'm more critical because this temple was built by someone more contemporary, than most other shrines and temples. Maybe people in the 15th century looked at kinkakuji in kyoto and thought "a golden pavilion? Really. Someone really was looking for attention". Maybe people in a few hundred years will look at this and see it as a great achievement of the 20th century. Maybe there really isn't much difference between a rich guy in the 20th century building some big temple and a rich or powerful guy a few centuries ago building one. I think at least that's an interesting question that this place made me think of.
Melon LordMelon Lord
30
Don’t miss it ! (but yeah it’s expensive 🙁) After a few trips to Japan, when i heard about Kousanji i told myself “another temple ? 1400¥ !? neah let’s do something else” Eventually i changed my mind and i’m glad i did. I’ve seen very few temples in Japan with this kind of colorful atmosphere. It’s a beautiful place. The sculpture part on top of the hill is a bit more anecdotic to me, but i enjoyed the stroll and the view. I would pay 1400y to go again but was worth it to me.
Peregrin RIFIANOPeregrin RIFIANO
10
Very unique temple compared to other Japanese temples! Was impressed on the detailed engravings, bright vibrant colors, size, underground cave and different attractions within the temple (art, flowers and more). Costs about ¥2000 for a family of four, plus parking is an additional ¥500. Only thing I was disappointed about is that the Jodo Shinshu sect doesn't offer goshuin 御朱印. Definitely recommend if you are in the area.
Ryan Wilson (雷庵)Ryan Wilson (雷庵)
10
The Hill of Hope, marble imported from Italian and crafted into a masterpiece, was beauty personified. This place is absolutely gorgeous. From the beautiful marble carved sculptures to the vibrant colored temples, your eyes are never short of beautiful sites to take in. It was a nice treat to ne able to walk the shoreline before our drive back home. As you can see, I also mad a friend. 🦜🤣💚
Shelby JollyShelby Jolly
20
If you like to visit a cultural, preserve, or temple area this place is very worth to visit. I visited during summer holiday. This is a large beautiful temple complex and cultural museum. You can see a lot of interesting temple here, with amazing roofing and architecture style. There are an entrance fee infront of the gate.
annaanna
10
Nearby Attractions Of Kousanji
The Hill Of Hope
Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art
Azumi Setoda
Kongo Gallery - Kosanji Annex
Choonzan Park
Chou Sei Kaku
Kosanji
Kawazuhana Park

The Hill Of Hope
4.2
(805)Click for details

Hirayama Ikuo Museum of Art
4.2
(494)Click for details

Azumi Setoda
4.6
(61)Click for details

Kongo Gallery - Kosanji Annex
3.8
(49)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Kousanji
Chidori shokudo
Kaneyoshi
Okatetsu Store
Burger Go Rock'n
Sayo
桂馬
Aori Restaurant
Matsusige Liquor & Okonomiyaki
Shiomachi-tei Bicycle Cafe + Bar
MINATOYA

Chidori shokudo
3.9
(286)Click for details

Kaneyoshi
4.1
(172)Click for details

Okatetsu Store
4.2
(149)Click for details

Burger Go Rock'n
4.8
(111)Click for details