Mangan-ji

Mangan-ji is a Buddhist temple in Tochigi nestled among forests, featuring a main hall, Deva gate, and traditional Japanese gardens with wooden carvings throughout the grounds. The layout creates a sense of spatial harmony between the buildings and the natural surroundings.

Founded in 767, this temple has anchored the region's spiritual life for over a thousand years. A destructive fire in 1740 led to the reconstruction of the main hall in 1764, marking a turning point in the site's physical development.

This temple serves as the 17th sacred site on the Bandō Sanjūsankasho pilgrimage route and hosts regular memorial services for the deceased. Pilgrims and visitors experience the spiritual continuity of these practices throughout the year.

The temple welcomes visitors daily and offers meditation experiences both indoors and at nearby waterfalls. Wear sturdy shoes as the wooded grounds feature uneven terrain and natural paths.

The grounds contain natural limestone caverns designated as a City Natural Monument, offering visitors a rare geological wonder. Few visitors venture into these cave formations, which lie away from the main pathways of the temple.

Location: Tochigi

Part of: Bandō Sanjūsankasho

GPS coordinates: 36.47553,139.58925

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:59