Those wishing to do the Temple Walk can pick up a map at the Tourist Information Office in Onomichi Station. From there, you can choose to either start the walk at Saiho-ji Temple located behind the station or take a bus or taxi all the way to the easternmost temple, Kairyu-ji, and work your way back to the station. Whatever option you end up choosing, keep in mind that most temples close by 17:00 so make sure not to start the walk too late in the afternoon. Below, we have included some additional information about the most popular temples of the walking route and our tours which visit some of them.
-- Tours Visiting Onomichi Temples
WHERE IS ONOMICHI?
Onomichi is a city located in the eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture. The Onomichi Temple Walk itself lies in the area between Onomichi Station and the Onomichi Bridge. Common starting points for the trail include the temples Saiho-ji, Jodo-ji, and Kairyu-ji.
POPULAR TEMPLES
In the past, many wealthy merchants contributed a lot of money to build and maintain temples in Onomichi. This led to the construction and preservation of some fantastic and breathtaking structures which we can fortunately still visit today. While all the temples in the Onomichi Temple Walk are unique and important in their own way, there are most definitely some which stand out from the rest and are the most popular ones to visit. Here, we provide a list of these temples with some background information about them.
Senko-ji Temple
Senko-ji is a stunning temple located on the hillside of Mount Senkoji, and it is one of Onomichi's most famous landmarks. It was founded in the 9th century and its main hall enshrines the bodhisattva Kannon, the "goddess" of mercy and compassion. The vermillion Main Hall surrounded by the nature of the mountain results in a stunning landscape which has made this temple such a popular sightseeing destination.
Saikoku-ji Temple
Founded by the Buddhist monk Gyōki, Saikoku-ji Temple is perhaps most recognizable for its unique Niomon Gate covered in straw sandals of various sizes. These sandals represent prayers for healthy legs and are the first sight visitors will see before having to ascend the 108 stone steps which lead to the temple's main hall. These steps are particularly stunning during spring, when the cherry blossom trees which line both sides bloom and form a breathtaking tunnel of pink blossoms.
Jodo-ji Temple
Jodo-ji Temple is one of the oldest temples in the Chugoku Region and is said to have been around for the past 700 years. According to some records, it was founded by Prince Shōtoku during the Asuka period. The standout buildings within the temple grounds are the main hall and the two-storied pagoda. The temple has been designated as a national treasure.
Tennei-ji Temple
This temple is located halfway up Mount Senkoji, and its three-storied pagoda is one of Onomichi's most recognizable landmarks. The pagoda used to be five stories high, but two levels had to be removed in 1692 due to their deterioration. Tennei-ji Temple was built in 1367 and one of the sides of the main hall is lined with 500 arhat statues, creating an incredible and unique sight.
Jiko-ji Temple
Jiko-ji Temple is famous for its impressive stone gate which leads to the temple grounds. Inside the temple, one can find a painting of the bodhisattva Fugen which has been designated as a national treasure. This temple offers an interesting experience called nigiri botoke in which you create a small buddha statue by squeezing a lump of clay with your fist.
TOURS VISITING ONOMICHI TEMPLES
While we do not have a tour which covers the entire Onomichi Temple Walk, we do have some which include two of the most popular temples of the route: Senkoji-ji and Saikoku-ji. Both of the tours below will allow you to explore these temples, enjoy a ropeway ride to the top of Mount Senkoji, and learn about Buddhism in Japan. The tours do differ in starting points and offer different additional stops and experiences. Read through the information below to find out more about them and see which one most appeals to you.
The 1-day tour below will give you the opportunity to not only visit the city of Onomichi, but also the town of Saijo. This town is considered one of Japan's "sake capitals" and is a perfect place to do some sake tasting. There, you will learn about the process of sake brewing and taste the sake made by two historic breweries. The tour starts and ends in Hiroshima Station, so it is very convenient for those who are staying within the city. Temple visiting and sake tasting are both culturally rich experiences which one cannot miss when visiting Japan and this tour will allow you to do both!
This second tour is for those looking to discover places off the beaten path and who are willing to venture out a bit further than other tourists. Starting at either Shin-Onomichi or Onomichi Station, you will visit the two temples mentioned previously, but will also head out into the Seto Inland Sea on a ferry to reach the island of Ikuchijima. On this beautiful island, you will be able to tour the unique Kosanji Temple with its eclectic collection of structures and distinctive marble garden, "The Hill of Hope." Since this place is a bit more difficult to access than the mainland, we consider this a bit of a hidden gem of Hiroshima. If you're interested in doing something different on your trip to Japan, then we definitely recommend this tour.
