Ryōzen-ji (Naruto)
霊山寺 (鳴門市)
A Buddhist temple built for quiet — halls, gardens and incense smoke.
What this place is
Ryōzen-ji (Japanese: 霊山寺; lit. 'Vulture Peak Temple') is a Shingon Buddhist temple in Naruto, Tokushima Prefecture, Japan best known as the first temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage. It is associated with the Kōyasan sect and dedicated to Shaka Nyorai. Said to have been founded by Gyōki during the Tenpyō era, its buildings are more recent replacements after damage by fires. Located close to the crossing point for pilgrims from the Kansai region, Yūben Shinnen identified the temple as No.1 in his Shikoku henro michishirube of 1687 and subsequent guidebooks followed suit. It is customary to return to Ryōzen-ji on a 'thanksgiving visit' (orei mairi) upon completing the pilgrimage, although this may be a relatively recent development.
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Why it is worth the trip
- Main halls housing Buddhist statuary, some of it designated National Treasure or Important Cultural Property.
- Gardens designed to be looked at rather than walked through — raked gravel, moss, borrowed mountain scenery.
- Wooden architecture with deep eaves and joinery assembled without nails, often rebuilt over many centuries.
What you can do here
- Light incense at the burner and waft the smoke over yourself before entering the main hall.
- Sit on the veranda facing the garden — that is the intended way to see it, and it costs nothing extra.
- Receive a goshuin seal, or try a short zazen / sutra-copying session where offered.
- Walk the temple's pagoda, bell tower and sub-temples; many stay open later than the main hall.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons — click any image for the photographer and licence.
Getting there by public transport
Good to know before you go
- Remove your shoes where indicated and carry them in the plastic bag provided.
- Keep voices low inside halls; photography of the principal image is often prohibited.
- Autumn foliage and spring blossom seasons bring long queues — go right at opening.
Traveler reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share how it went.