Itsukushima Shrine
Hiroshima, Japan
Daisho-in Temple, Hiroshima
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Photo: Sailko, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Roughly 8:00–17:00
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 45 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Closed
- Open every day
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From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Highlights
- Prayer wheels, Jizo, a cave of 88 icons
- Trail
- The climb up Mount Misen starts here, 1.5–2 hours
- Getting there
- 5 minutes from Itsukushima, 15 minutes from the ferry
Key facts
806the temple's founding by Kukai, by tradition
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en.wikipediaShingonthe Buddhist school founded by Kukai
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japan-guide.comOldesttemple on Miyajima
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en.wikipedia88icons in the cave — one per Shikoku pilgrimage temple
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japan-guide.comPrayer wheelsinscribed with sutras along the steps
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japan-guide.comFreeentry to the temple
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japan-guide.com1.5–2 hoursclimb up Mount Misen by the temple trail
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japan-guide.com5 minuteson foot from Itsukushima Shrine
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japan-guide.comWhat is Daisho-in?
Daisho-in is one of the most important temples of Shingon Buddhism and the oldest temple on Miyajima. It stands at the foot of sacred Mount Misen, where, by tradition, the school's founder, the monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi), began Buddhist practice on the island in 806.
The temple climbs the slope in tiers, each with something of its own: the Kannon-do and Maniden halls, hundreds of small Jizo statues in red knitted caps, a sand mandala made by Tibetan monks, and the Henjokutsu cave, where lanterns glow in the half-dark before 88 icons.
Entry and hours
According to guides, entry to Daisho-in is free, and the temple opens roughly 8:00 to 17:00 every day. Unlike Itsukushima Shrine, no ticket is needed, and it's usually less crowded.
The Henjokutsu cave is an underground hall beneath the main temple. It holds 88 icons, each standing for one of the 88 temples of the famous pilgrimage round Shikoku island. Walking through the cave is said to equal completing the whole pilgrimage.
What to see
- Prayer wheels along the staircase.
- Jizo statues in knitted caps.
- The Henjokutsu cave with 88 icons.
- Maniden hall — with a view down the slope.
- The sand mandala by Tibetan monks.
- Maples on the slope — in November.
How to get to Daisho-in
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Itsukushima Shrine is about 7 min away on foot.
More tips
- From Itsukushima Shrine — about 5 minutes on foot up the slope.
- From the ferry pier — about 15 minutes on foot.
- To the island — JR to Miyajimaguchi, about 30 minutes from Hiroshima, then a 10-minute ferry.
- Up Mount Misen — the Daisho-in trail starts by the temple.
- To the ropeway — about 15 minutes on foot through Momijidani Park.
Daisho-in or Itsukushima
| Daisho-inyou are here | Buddhist temple | Prayer wheels, Jizo, a cave | Free | Fewer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Itsukushima | Shinto shrine | A gate in the sea | ¥300 | Many |
How long do you need?
About 45 minutes is enough: climb the staircase of prayer wheels, walk round the halls and go down into the cave. If you're hiking up Mount Misen, the temple is a handy starting point for the trail.
Daisho-in fits easily into a day on the island: Itsukushima Shrine in the morning, then the temple, then Mount Misen by trail or ropeway. In autumn the slope around the temple turns red with maples.
Children enjoy it too: Jizo figures with different faces and caps, wheels to spin and a dark cave full of lanterns. There are good-luck charms and small figurines at the temple shop as well.
Is Daisho-in worth visiting?
Yes: it's one of Japan's most atmospheric temples — free, and five minutes from the island's main shrine.
The YesGo take: many tourists stop at the gate in the sea and leave without reaching the temple. That's a mistake — it's quieter, more interesting and free. The steps are a bit steep but short. Give it at least half an hour.
Before you go: checklist
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Temples and shrines: compare and choose
Temples and shrines rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Itsukushima Shrine | 37 | 1 h 30 min | ¥300 | 8 min walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daisho-in Templeyou are here | 29 | 45 min | Free | — |
| Mount Misen | 19 | 3 h | trails free; ropeway ≈ ¥2,000 return | 24 min walk |
Miyajima in a day
Itsukushima Shrine and the gate in the sea in the morning, Daisho-in temple at midday, and the ropeway up Mount Misen in the afternoon. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Itsukushima Shrine1 h 30 min · ¥300
- 8 min walk from the previous stopDaisho-in Templeyou are here45 min · free
- 24 min walk from the previous stopMount Misen3 h · trails free; ropeway ≈ ¥2,000 return
3 places · about 5 h 47 min with walks · 32 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
Mount Misen
Hiroshima, Japan
How to do it right
- Entry is free.
- Spin the prayer wheels on the way up.
- Go down into the cave of 88 icons.
- The Misen trail starts here.
- Nearby: Itsukushima Shrine.
Questions
How much is entry to Daisho-in?
Entry is free.
What are the opening hours?
Roughly 8:00–17:00, every day.
When was the temple founded?
By tradition, by the monk Kukai in 806.
What are the wheels on the stairs?
They're engraved with sutras; spinning them equals reading them.
How do I get there?
5 minutes on foot from Itsukushima Shrine.
How long do you need?
About 45 minutes.
Can I climb Mount Misen from here?
Yes, the trail starts at the temple, 1.5–2 hours.
What is in the cave?
88 icons — one for each temple of the Shikoku pilgrimage.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- japan-guide.com — school, halls, prayer wheels, cave, hours, free entry, access, trail (via curl 09.11.2026; unofficial)
- English Wikipedia: Mount Misen — founding by Kukai in 806
- Wikidata Q3012169 — coordinates
