Shakubu-ji, Buddhist temple in Nada ward, Kobe, Japan
Shakubu-ji is a Buddhist temple in the Nada district of Kobe, built on a hillside with traditional Japanese wooden structures and stone gardens. A large cedar tree on the grounds, known as the Mother Tree, serves as a natural focal point of the site.
The temple was founded in 646 CE as one of 13 sacred Buddhist sites around Kobe. A fire in 1976 destroyed the original building, and the current structure was rebuilt on the same hillside site.
At the entrance of the temple, visitors rinse their hands at a stone water basin before entering the grounds. This small act of purification is part of the normal rhythm of a visit and can be observed at any time of day.
The temple sits on a steep hillside and is reached by a hiking trail that passes the remains of the former building. Sturdy shoes are recommended, as parts of the path are uneven and can be slippery after rain.
This temple is said to be the first in Japan to have introduced the haraobi ceremony, a ritual in which a special sash is tied around the belly of an expectant mother for a safe birth. Because of this, it draws pregnant women on pilgrimage from across the region even today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
