Kagaku-ji, Buddhist temple in Akō, Japan
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Ako).
Shizutani School
16.4 km
Akō Castle
779 m
Osake-jinja
4.2 km
Iwatsuhime Shrine
3.3 km
Shirahata Castle
17.3 kmHyōgo prefectural Akō Seaside Park
2.2 km
永富家住宅
16 km
Kamo-jinja
10.4 km
Bizen Latin America Museum
11.1 km
Kanjōsan Castle
15.4 km
Harbor View Park
11 km
Nakatomi itate-jinja
16.9 km
Akō Marine Science Museum
2.2 km
Akō City Tabuchi Museum of Art
2.9 km
Ako City Museum of History
613 m
Shōraku-ji
12.3 km
浄運寺
10.5 km
Myokenji
4.2 kmRakan no Sato
15.1 km
Shizutani School History Museum
16.5 km
Ako City Library
647 m
Ako Folk Culture Museum
821 m
Myōdō-ji
4 km
Tatsuno Municipal Murotsu Museum of Sea Port
10.6 km
Tatsuno Municipal Murotsu Museum of Folklore
10.7 km
Auditorium, Shizutani school
16.4 km
Murotsu Museum of Sea Port
10.6 km
綾部山梅林
14.7 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes