Kagaku-ji, Buddhist temple in Akō, Japan
Kagaku-ji is a Buddhist temple in Ako featuring traditional Japanese religious architecture and gardens designed according to established spiritual principles. The grounds display the classic layout of a temple complex, with structures arranged in balanced patterns around central courtyards and walking paths.
The temple was founded in 1645 by Asano Naganao during Japan's Edo period and grew into a major religious center for the Ako region. Its establishment came during an era when Buddhism was becoming deeply woven into regional communities and their identities.
The temple serves pilgrims passing through on two major Buddhist pilgrimage routes that cross this region. Visitors can experience how the place functions as a spiritual checkpoint where travelers pause to pray and find renewal.
The temple welcomes visitors throughout the year and accommodates prayer, meditation, and religious ceremonies conducted by the community. When exploring the grounds, visitors should follow local customs and dress respectfully to honor the sacred nature of the space.
The temple holds the rare distinction of participating simultaneously in two major Japanese pilgrimage routes, making it a special meeting point for pilgrims from different traditions. Very few temples in Japan have achieved this dual spiritual role.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
