Ensei-ji

Ensei-ji is a Buddhist temple in Hagi featuring traditional Japanese architectural elements, including a torii gate and the largest stone lantern in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The grounds combine both temple and shrine structures within a unified complex.

The temple was founded in 1254 in Yamaguchi and merged with Houkou-in Temple in 1870 following government separation of Shinto and Buddhist practices. This merger reflects a major shift in how Japan's government approached religious institutions.

The temple blends Buddhist and Shinto practices in ways visitors can observe today through its mixed layout of prayer areas and shrine features. The coexistence reflects how both traditions continue to function side by side in local religious life.

The complex sits within the Hagi Castle Town World Heritage Site, making it easy to locate while visiting this historic area. Arriving during daytime hours helps you appreciate the architectural details and take clear photos of the structures.

Two small stone circles on the torii gate mark the dual religious nature of the site and serve as a rare visual indicator of this blended practice. Few other locations in Japan display such explicit markers of Buddhist-Shinto coexistence.