Banna-ji, Buddhist temple in Ashikaga, Japan
Banna-ji is a Buddhist temple in Ashikaga, Japan, counted among the country's important cultural properties and national treasures. The complex spans 40,000 square meters and contains multiple buildings enclosed by earthen walls and a surrounding protective moat system.
The temple originated in 1196 when Ashikaga Yoshikane converted his residence into a Buddhist sanctuary, establishing it as the family temple of the Ashikaga clan. This conversion marked the beginning of a long connection between the temple and the politically influential family.
The temple is nicknamed Dainichisama after its honzon, a statue of Dainichi Nyōrai. Each February at Setsubun, the Kaimayagoshi procession recalls Ashikaga Yasauji's gathering of 500 warriors in the Kamakura period; it was revived in 1915 by local textile merchants.
Visitors can reach the temple grounds through a ten-minute walk from Ashikaga Station, with free parking available at the Taiheikikan Tourist Center. The grounds remain accessible throughout the year, with the best visiting times being early morning or late afternoon.
The grounds keep the layout of a fortified samurai residence: earthen ramparts, moats and four gates from the 1500s. This is why the site, though a temple, was chosen in 2006 as No. 15 of Japan's Top 100 Castles by the Japan Castle Foundation.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,253 contributors worldwide.
