Higan-ji, Buddhist temple in Kamiyama, Japan
Higan-ji is a Buddhist temple located on Mount Konesan at approximately 700 meters (2,300 feet) elevation, accessible via mountain paths through dense forest. The grounds are surrounded by thick trees that create a sense of seclusion from the outside world.
The temple developed from an ancient mountain shrine where a priestess once worshipped local deities before the grounds were transformed into a Buddhist sanctuary. This transformation reflects the spiritual evolution of the region over several centuries.
The temple houses a statue of Senjukannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, which has been venerated by visitors for centuries. The worship of this figure shapes the spiritual life at this location today.
Getting to the temple requires a good level of fitness because of the steep mountain slopes and long hiking paths. Starting early in the day is wise to ensure enough daylight for the climb and to avoid difficult weather conditions.
The site blends Buddhist and Shinto traditions in a rare architectural form known as a shrine-temple combination. This mixing of religious practices is a remnant of historical mountain communities that venerated multiple belief systems side by side.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
