There are no employees or ticket booths at the temple’s entrance, so guests are asked to place the admission fee inside a donation box either when entering or leaving Mitaki-dera. It costs JPY200 per person to enter the temple grounds, and while there is no one around to enforce this payment, visitors are trusted to deposit the money on their own. Since Mitaki-dera is not as well-known as other places, we have included some information about its location and history below. At the bottom of the page, you can also find details about our tours which make a stop by Mitaki-dera, as well as instructions on how to get to it from Hiroshima Station.
-- Where is Mitaki-dera Temple?
WHERE IS MITAKI-DERA TEMPLE?
Mitaki-dera is located within the city of Hiroshima, at the foot of Mount Mitaki. The mountain itself lies to the northwest of Hiroshima Station and to the west of the Ota River. It is about a 15-minute walk away from the JR Mitaki Station.
HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE
As mentioned previously, Mitaki-dera was established in the year 809 by the Buddhist monk Kūkai. This was many years before Hiroshima developed into the major city that it is today. The temple is dedicated to the Bodhisattva Kannon, who is considered the “goddess” of mercy in Japan. It is also the thirteenth temple of the Chugoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, a pilgrimage route which covers 33 sites sacred to the Bodhisattva Kannon in the region. Mitaki-dera belongs to the Shingon school of Buddhism, which was founded by Kūkai himself.
Within the temple grounds one see can multiple structures, all built at different points in Hiroshima’s history. Perhaps the most striking is the two storied pagoda which can be found near the entrance of the temple. Built in 1526, it is considered an ancient cultural asset. It enshrines a seated wooden statue of the buddha Amitabha Tathagata, who is regarded as the principal Buddha of Pure Land Buddhism, one of the many branches of the religion.
This pagoda was actually originally located in Wakayama Prefecture, which borders Nara and Osaka, on the grounds of the Hiro Hachiman Shrine. This is a Shinto shrine, and the former presence of this Buddhist structure demonstrates just how closely tied the two religions have been throughout the country’s history. In 1951, the pagoda was moved to Hiroshima in order to console the victims who died in the atomic bombing.
Another relevant landmark within the temple grounds is the area with the statues of four well-known Buddhist monks: Kūkai, Nichiren, Dōgen, and Shinran. While the latter three were all alive in the 13th century, Kūkai passed away in the year 835. Interestingly, none of these monks followed the same school of Buddhism and the only one who belonged to the Shingon sect was Kūkai. One of Mitaki-dera’s three waterfalls lies behind these four statues.
Other places worth mentioning include the bell tower and Ryujin-do, the “Dragon God Hall.” The temple’s bell was made immediately after the war, and due to the lack of proper materials at the time, it quickly developed cracks. Due to the historical significance of this item, the bell has not been recast and retains its slightly damaged form. Regarding the hall, it is quite peculiar since Ryujin is considered a deity of traditional Japanese mythology and not Buddhism. Its presence within the temple grounds can be explained by the fact that Ryujin has long been considered God of the sea and the water flowing through Mitaki-dera resembles a place where this god would live. As a result, the god has been enshrined there since ancient times.
TOURS VISITING MITAKI-DERA
While Mitaki-dera is a beautiful and unique location, we do understand that it might not be at the top of visitor’s must-see list. On the one hand, there are other more relevant places to visit which take priority such as Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima, and on the other hand, getting to the temple can be a bit complicated for some. In order to address these issues, we offer a 1-day tour which includes this hidden gem along with the city’s main highlights.
Along with Mitaki-dera, you will be able to visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, Peace Memorial Museum, Hiroshima Castle, and Shukkei-en Garden, all in a single day. With this tour, you can manage your time efficiently and make the most out of your trip to Hiroshima. You’ll have the opportunity to explore multiple parts of the city, and we will handle all the transportation logistics for you. Ultimately, with this tour, you will gain a greater understanding and appreciation of Hiroshima.
