Kosanji Temple
Kosanji Temple
4
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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4.0
160 reviews
Excellent
47
Very good
62
Average
37
Poor
9
Terrible
5
Zimminaroundtheworld
Okinawa Prefecture, Japan1,971 contributions
Nov 2020
I had the Kosanji Temple marked on my maps as a must when I rode my bike on the Shimanami Kaido. I was really looking forward to visiting the temple but the entrance price really threw me off. Generally in Japan, entrances are cheap, but 1400 yen was steep. Since I was there I paid the fee and wandered around. I would admit the temple and grounds are beautiful. I loved the colors of the temples and how decorative the buildings were. The cave was closed when I came because of social distancing. I found the hill of hope to be a bit odd but unique. Overall, I would say I am glad I came, but if you are on a strict budget it might not be worth it.
Written 18 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
swordfish24
Brisbane, Australia504 contributions
Nov 2011 • Couples
This temple complex is an unusual one, being built by a guy who was a successful business man and was devoted to his mother. He built the complex in her honour.
It is overly ornate but a none-the-less spectacular series of buildings from the gateway the temple, the hall, pagoda and the large buddha statue.
The buildings are colorful and detailed and some have been modelled on those at Nikko.
It doesn't seem to be operational as a working temple but more as a tourist attraction.
A really zany feature here is the kitchy 1000 Buddha Cave which is an extensive underground tunnel/cave depicting hell. Definitely worth working your way through. You think you'll never come out but then surface quite some distance away from the entrance.
The place is not short on surprises, the next being a hilltop park behind the temple which is a complete "white-out". Sculpted completely from white marble are paving. modern art statuary, steps, and everything is white. You'll need sunglasses if the sun is shining. It is not meant to have religious significance and is titled "Miraishin no Oka", which means Heights of Eternal Hope for the Future. Apparantly it is all made with imported Italian marble.
Kosanji is located on Ikuchijima Island just south of Onomichi and we visited by hiring a car for the day from Shin Onomichi and driving over the super expressway over some nifty bridges connecting the islands across the Inland Sea. The expressway eventually goes to Shikoku.
It is overly ornate but a none-the-less spectacular series of buildings from the gateway the temple, the hall, pagoda and the large buddha statue.
The buildings are colorful and detailed and some have been modelled on those at Nikko.
It doesn't seem to be operational as a working temple but more as a tourist attraction.
A really zany feature here is the kitchy 1000 Buddha Cave which is an extensive underground tunnel/cave depicting hell. Definitely worth working your way through. You think you'll never come out but then surface quite some distance away from the entrance.
The place is not short on surprises, the next being a hilltop park behind the temple which is a complete "white-out". Sculpted completely from white marble are paving. modern art statuary, steps, and everything is white. You'll need sunglasses if the sun is shining. It is not meant to have religious significance and is titled "Miraishin no Oka", which means Heights of Eternal Hope for the Future. Apparantly it is all made with imported Italian marble.
Kosanji is located on Ikuchijima Island just south of Onomichi and we visited by hiring a car for the day from Shin Onomichi and driving over the super expressway over some nifty bridges connecting the islands across the Inland Sea. The expressway eventually goes to Shikoku.
Written 29 December 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trek-Always
Alpharetta, GA2,524 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Beautiful settings, trees, and flowers. Everywhere you look is an interesting and pretty sight. There is also a marble hill associated with the temple which is very different from anything else we saw in Japan.
A very lovely place. Also, unlike many other temples, it is not crowded wall to wall. A must do location.
If this review is helpful then please indicate so below.
A very lovely place. Also, unlike many other temples, it is not crowded wall to wall. A must do location.
If this review is helpful then please indicate so below.
Written 2 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CalbeeKuma
London, UK17 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
The temple area is rather large and the ticket covers multiple areas within the temple area. Apart from the colourful and intricately decorated temple, there was also an area within the temple grounds called 'Heights of Eternal Hope for the Future' which displays a collection of abstract marble sculptures which I found rather interesting especially against the backdrop of the temple.
Written 20 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Australiafrancophile
Australia866 contributions
Nov 2012 • Family
I visited on a sunny weekday in late November, taking the train to Mihara and then the ferry.It was very quiet.Alternative access is bus or ferry from Onomichi.
The Kosanji complex is large. It is important to get a map you can follow so as not to miss less obvious things eg the cave.I enjoyed all the different features including the white marble sculpture at the summit.
I was most impressed by the Choseikaku Villa, which could be overlooked.This building has very beautiful wood panelling with many small intricate inlaid paintings of insects and birds in the ceilings of two rooms.
On the walk to and from Kosanji from the harbour I enjoyed the open air sculptures and my son hired a bike.
Unfortunately we didn't have time to visit the Hirayama Ikuo Museum , also on Ikuchijima.
The Kosanji complex is large. It is important to get a map you can follow so as not to miss less obvious things eg the cave.I enjoyed all the different features including the white marble sculpture at the summit.
I was most impressed by the Choseikaku Villa, which could be overlooked.This building has very beautiful wood panelling with many small intricate inlaid paintings of insects and birds in the ceilings of two rooms.
On the walk to and from Kosanji from the harbour I enjoyed the open air sculptures and my son hired a bike.
Unfortunately we didn't have time to visit the Hirayama Ikuo Museum , also on Ikuchijima.
Written 20 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jesse & Aiza Tronson
Snoqualmie, WA260 contributions
Mar 2013 • Family
The attraction may say it is in Onomichi but dont be fooled. It is several miles by driving to get there. I think about 15 miles (30km) from onomichi. I am sure the easiest and cheapest way to get here is taking a ferry from Mihara and then hop in a taxi. Dont take a taxi from Onomichi, it would be super expensive.
But it is well worth the time and cost to come here. The grounds are spectacular. Very few people visit it because of its remote vacation. Mostly Japanese tourists so be aware that almost nobody speaks English here. I have visited the temple multiple times. It is always a place I bring my friends when they visit the Hiroshima region. Although the temples are imitations made to bring tourists, they are very beautiful and you would not know they are imitation unless read or told. On the grounds you will see a Pagoda Temple, Giant Buddha statue, Giant Carp, an underground cave representing hell, several other beautiful temples and gardens, and at the top of the park is a white granite walkway and sculptures. I cant describe it well. Its unique. On a sunny day, bring sunglasses as the white granite is blinding when walking on it. Across the street is a small museum from the park.
But it is well worth the time and cost to come here. The grounds are spectacular. Very few people visit it because of its remote vacation. Mostly Japanese tourists so be aware that almost nobody speaks English here. I have visited the temple multiple times. It is always a place I bring my friends when they visit the Hiroshima region. Although the temples are imitations made to bring tourists, they are very beautiful and you would not know they are imitation unless read or told. On the grounds you will see a Pagoda Temple, Giant Buddha statue, Giant Carp, an underground cave representing hell, several other beautiful temples and gardens, and at the top of the park is a white granite walkway and sculptures. I cant describe it well. Its unique. On a sunny day, bring sunglasses as the white granite is blinding when walking on it. Across the street is a small museum from the park.
Written 29 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DanL917
Tokyo, Japan443 contributions
Sept 2012 • Solo
Tucked away on an island on Shimanani Kaido, this place offers a multitude of attractions. There is a house of a wealthy owner on display that is one of the most impressive I've seen in Japan, particularly for the five different kinds of wood and the garden views. A genuine cave is located under the temple grounds with murals and must be several hundred stone Buddhas, and a little stream. The temple gate has color and intricacy and detail that rivals Nikko. Behind the temple on a hillside is a magnificent art structure of fine white marble imported from Italy, made by a famous Japanese artist, with an Italian restaurant overlooking the islands. Never seen anything like it. Afterwards be sure to have lunch or dinner at the tako (octopus) restaurant across the street. The tako rice is fabulous!
Written 26 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beetroot
London, UK84 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Doing the Shimaname kaido bike ride saw the colourful doors to this temple and decided to stop, so glad I did as it is one of my favourite temples in Japan.
It's very colourful and in the same complex there is a marble garden and an impressive underground cave complex.
Yes it is more expensive that most temples but has a lot more to it.
It's very colourful and in the same complex there is a marble garden and an impressive underground cave complex.
Yes it is more expensive that most temples but has a lot more to it.
Written 25 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lhm17
Klang, Malaysia80 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
What a gem of a place! I knew it would be amazing before visiting it but I had no idea just how mind-blowing the real experience would be. It's not so much the main temple itself which was under renovation during my visit, it's the marble Hill of Hope at the back of the temple that completely took my breath away. The whole place was constructed with the best Italian marble that money can buy and is decorated with artistic sculptures that aim to impress. You can get an overwhelming 360-degree view of the island and its surrounding waters at the top of the hill.
Even the cafe at the rear end was made of marble and it looked like it was flown in from a Greek island in terms of its design. I paid 500yen for a cup of hot chocolate that tasted more like hot cocoa but its matcha ice-cream was a steal at just 200yen. Do spend some time relaxing in the cafe as you'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the temple's surroundings from its well-placed windows. There's a lift that will take you all the way to the Hill of Hope if you have mobility issues. Words cannnot describe this place enough. You have to be there in person to take in the whole experience of visiting a place that is truly one-of-its-kind. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to spend there. I spent two hours there and yet, it was not enough to explore the whole temple grounds.
I took the 7.50am ferry from the Onomichi ferry terminal situated in the same building as the Onomichi Green Hill Hotel at 1050yen one way. It's a pleasant 40min ride and you can get the ferry timetable from the TIC in the Onomichi train station itself. Get off at Setoda ferry terminal and it's an easy 10-15min walk to the temple. Be at the ferry terminals on time coz the ferry is very punctual. The temple opens at exactly 9.00am and the admission fee is 1400yen.
Even the cafe at the rear end was made of marble and it looked like it was flown in from a Greek island in terms of its design. I paid 500yen for a cup of hot chocolate that tasted more like hot cocoa but its matcha ice-cream was a steal at just 200yen. Do spend some time relaxing in the cafe as you'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the temple's surroundings from its well-placed windows. There's a lift that will take you all the way to the Hill of Hope if you have mobility issues. Words cannnot describe this place enough. You have to be there in person to take in the whole experience of visiting a place that is truly one-of-its-kind. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to spend there. I spent two hours there and yet, it was not enough to explore the whole temple grounds.
I took the 7.50am ferry from the Onomichi ferry terminal situated in the same building as the Onomichi Green Hill Hotel at 1050yen one way. It's a pleasant 40min ride and you can get the ferry timetable from the TIC in the Onomichi train station itself. Get off at Setoda ferry terminal and it's an easy 10-15min walk to the temple. Be at the ferry terminals on time coz the ferry is very punctual. The temple opens at exactly 9.00am and the admission fee is 1400yen.
Written 18 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dyu K
Bangkok, Thailand50 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
the Hill of Hope was worth our 2 hours from Hiroshima cause it's so unique from other temples in Japan. you'd need to take the ferry crossing the the island and walk (about 10 mins) and climb to the hill. I'd recommend if you care about the marble/architecture.
Written 26 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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