Onsen-ji

Onsen-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kami-Suwa Onsen situated on a hill within walking distance of Kami-Suwa Station. The grounds contain a principal statue of Shaka Nyorai and feature the Takashima Domain cemetery with more than 100 graves honoring eight generations of clan leaders.

Founded in 1640 as a family temple for the Suwa clan, this site served as an important spiritual center for the ruling family. A major fire in 1870 destroyed most of the temple's historical records and original structures.

The temple sits within a hot spring resort area where bathing culture and spiritual practice coexist in daily life. Visitors experience how this sacred space blends with the surrounding leisure and wellness traditions of the region.

The temple is easily accessible on foot from Kami-Suwa Station and offers a peaceful location for exploring the hillside grounds. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the terrain can be steep and occasionally slippery.

The temple's main gate originally came from Takashima Castle and was relocated here after the castle's demolition during the Meiji period. This architectural element connects two important chapters of local history in a single location.