Daikōzen-ji, Buddhist temple in Kiyama, Japan
Daikōzen-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kiyama featuring multiple wooden buildings, traditional halls, and meditation spaces arranged across the grounds at the base of Mount Chigiri. The complex includes Chigiri-en garden, where thousands of azalea plants bloom each spring.
The temple was founded in 717 by Buddhist monk Gyōki and subsequently faced destruction that required multiple reconstructions. A major rebuilding was completed by priest Ennin in 847, marking a significant phase in the temple's evolution.
The temple functions as a center for Buddhist practice today, with monks conducting regular ceremonies that visitors can observe throughout the year. These ongoing traditions connect the space to its religious roots in a living way.
The temple grounds are open throughout the year, with spring being the most popular time to visit. Planning your visit around the garden helps you experience the space at its best.
The temple houses an Eleven-Faced Kannon statue traditionally attributed to Gyōki, which remains on public display only once every 12 years during the year of the horse. This rare exposure makes those occasions particularly meaningful for pilgrims and visitors.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
