Fudarakusan-ji

Fudarakusan-ji is a Buddhist temple in Wakayama Prefecture featuring traditional Japanese architecture with ornate religious decorations throughout its structures. The complex spreads across multiple buildings connected by wooden staircases and open corridors that guide visitors through different sanctuaries.

The temple was founded by Indian monk Ragyō Shōnin, who arrived after a shipwreck on the Kumano coast over a thousand years ago. The site developed into a major pilgrimage destination and received UNESCO World Heritage status in 2004.

The temple honors Senju Kannon, a Bodhisattva of compassion, and remains central to spiritual life in the Kumano region. Visitors can observe how local people visit to pray and meditate, reflecting the deep connection between this place and the surrounding landscape.

The temple is located in Nachikatsuura Town and is reachable on foot from the nearest bus stop; comfortable shoes are recommended due to many stairs throughout the grounds. Plan to spend time exploring the different areas of the complex and taking in the peaceful surroundings.

From the 9th to 18th centuries, elderly monks participated in Fudarakutokai, a distinctive practice where they sailed into the ocean in specially built boats. These journeys reflected a spiritual belief in a mythical place called Mount Potalaka thought to exist beyond the sea.