Nyoiji, Kobe

Nyoiji is a Buddhist temple featuring traditional Japanese architecture with curved roofs and wooden structures positioned among seasonal gardens. The grounds include meditation areas that provide visitors space for quiet reflection.

Monk Saicho established the temple in 805 and placed a Yakushi Nyorai statue within its halls. It operated as a branch of Shoren-in temple during the Edo period, which provided organizational support and stability.

The temple serves as a stop along the Thirteen Buddhist Sites of Kobe pilgrimage route, drawing visitors who connect these spiritual locations across the region. This pilgrimage continues to shape religious practice in the city and links communities across generations.

The temple grounds are accessible with informational signs in multiple languages explaining its features and traditions. The best time to visit is early in the day when fewer visitors are present and the gardens feel especially calm.

Next to the temple stands the Hyogo Daibutsu, an 18-meter Buddha statue erected in 1991. This statue replaced the original that was melted down during World War II, symbolizing reconstruction and renewal.