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What is Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage?

Kanzeon Bodhisattva is worshiped in Buddhism as an investigator that saves people.
Thirty-three temples in the Kansai area that worship Kannon Bodhisattva are called the places of Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage.
Worshippers believe that they can spend a fulfilling life with kindness and consideration to others and having diligence that will lead to rebirth in Paradise by praying around all the temples. Besides, many temples attract attention as tourist spots in the places of Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage, and a large number of pilgrims enjoy sightseeing while on their pilgrimages.

Certified as a Japan Heritage Site

Japan Heritage involves a tangible or intangible cultural asset that tells the story of Japanese culture and tradition and is certified by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.
In 2019, Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage, with its 1,300-year-long history of worshippers' final lifework, was recognized as a Japanese Heritage.
Why don't you visit Japan's oldest pilgrimage route as an opportunity to think about how to live with a vibrant heart?

Area Introduction

The 33 temples in the five areas in the western part of Japan are introduced on an area-by-area basis.
These areas are the Wakayama and Minami Osaka area, Nara area, Kyoto Minami and Shiga Minami area, Kita Osaka and Hyogo area, and Kyoto Kita, Shiga Kita, and Gifu area.

Temples in
Wakayama and Minami Osaka
 Area

This area is home to Wakayama Prefecture's temples, including Seiganto-ji Temple (the first temple in the Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage route), which is near the famous Nachi Falls, as well as Sefuku-ji Temple, which is said to be the hardest-to-reach temple of the 33 temples, because it is located halfway up a mountain.

  • Seigantoji

    Seigantoji

    Address

    8 Nachisan, Nachikatsuura-cho, Higashimuro-gun, Wakayama

    Opening hours

    5:00 - 16:30

  • Kongohoji(kimiidera)

    Kongohoji(kimiidera)

    Address

    1201 Kimiidera, Wakayama, Wakayama

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00

  • Kokawadera

    Kokawadera

    Address

    2787 Kokawa, Kinokawa, Wakayama

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00

  • Sefukuji

    Sefukuji

    Address

    136 Makiosancho, Izumi, Osaka

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00 (Mar-Nov)
    8:00 - 16:00 (Dec-Feb)

  • Fujiidera

    Fujiidera

    Address

    1 Fujiidera, Fujiidera, Osaka

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00

Temples in Nara Area

This is an area where you can enjoy Nara's famous monuments, ranging from the Nanendo hall of the World Heritage Kofuku-ji Temple (right in front of the entrance of Nara Park, which is renowned for its deer) to ancient archeological sites and temples in Asuka.

  • Minamihokkeji

    Minamihokkeji

    Address

    3 Tsubosaka, Takatori-cho, Takaichi-gun, Nara

    Opening hours

    8:30 - 17:00

  • Okadera

    Okadera

    Address

    806 Oka, Asuka-mura, Takaichi-gun, Nara

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00 (Mar-Nov)
    8:00 - 16:30 (Dec-Feb)

  • Hasedera

    Hasedera

    Address

    731-1 Hase, Sakurai, Nara

    Opening hours

    8:30 - 17:00 (Apr- Sep)
    9:00 - 16:30 (Oct- Mar)
    7:00 - 18:00 (Extended during "Peony Festival" period only)

  • Nan-endo

    Nan-endo

    Address

    48 Noboriojicho, Nara, Nara

    Opening hours

    Naizin (Chancel) of Nan-endo (Southern round hall) is not open to public.
    9:00-17:00 Kokuhokan (National treasure hall) / To-kondo (Eastern golden hall)

Temples in
Kyoto Minami and Shiga Minami
 Area

The area covers temples in the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture, including the world-famous Kiyomizu-dera and other temples in the city of Kyoto, and temples in the southern part of Shiga Prefecture, including Mii-dera Temple, which is also known as Enjo-ji Temple, located by Lake Biwa.

  • Mimurotoji

    Mimurotoji

    Address

    21 Shigatani, Todo, Uji, Kyoto

    Opening hours

    8:30 - 16:00 （11/1 - 3/31）
    8:30 - 16:30 （4/1 - 10/31）

  • Kamidaigo Junteidou

    Kamidaigo Junteidou

    Address

    22 Daigo Higashiojicho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto

    Opening hours

    9:00 - 17:00 (Until 16:00 during winter period ) Reception closes 30 minutes before the gate close.

  • Shouhouji

    Shouhouji

    Address

    82 Ishiyama Uchihatacho, Otsu, Shiga

    Opening hours

    9:00 - 16:30

  • Ishiyamadera

    Ishiyamadera

    Address

    1-1-1 Ishiyamadera, Otsu, Shiga

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 16:00

  • Miidera

    Miidera

    Address

    246 Onjojicho, Otsu, Shiga

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00

  • Imakumanokannonji

    Imakumanokannonji

    Address

    32 Sennyuji Yamanouchicho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00

  • Kiyomizudera

    Kiyomizudera

    Address

    1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto

    Opening hours

    6:00 - 18:00

  • Rokuharamitsuji

    Rokuharamitsuji

    Address

    Rokurocho, Matsubara-dori Yamatooji-higashiiru-2-chome, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00
    Houmotsukan (Treasure museum) 8:30 - 17:00 (Reception closes at 16:30)
    * Subject to change due to the event period

  • Rokkakudo Chohoji

    Rokkakudo Chohoji

    Address

    248 Donomaecho, Rokkaku-dori Higashinotoin-nishiiru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto

    Opening hours

    6:00 - 17:00

  • Koudou Gyouganji

    Koudou Gyouganji

    Address

    Gyoganjimonzencho, Teramachi-dori Takeyamachi-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 16:30

  • Yoshiminedera

    Yoshiminedera

    Address

    1372 Oharano Oshiocho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00 （Reception closes at 16:30）

  • Anaouji

    Anaouji

    Address

    46 Higashinotsuji, Sogabecho Anao, Kameoka, Kyoto

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00

Temples in
 Kita Osaka and Hyogo Area

This area covers temples in the northern part of Osaka Prefecture, including Katsuo-ji Temple, famous for Kachi Dharma dolls, and temples in Hyogo Prefecture, including Nakayama-dera Temple near Arima Onsen, one of the three most famous hot spring resorts in Japan, and Engyo-ji Temple, the westernmost temple on the Saikoku Kannon Pilgrimage route.

  • Sojiji

    Sojiji

    Address

    1-6-1 Sojiji, Ibaraki, Osaka

    Opening hours

    6:00 - 17:00

  • Katsuoji

    Katsuoji

    Address

    2914-1 Aomatani, Mino, Osaka

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00 Weekdays
    8:00 - 17:30 Saturdays
    8:00 - 18:00 Sundays & Holiday

  • Nakayamadera

    Nakayamadera

    Address

    2-11-1 Nakayamadera, Takarazuka, Hyogo

    Opening hours

    Precincts is open 24 hours

  • Banshu Kiyomizudera

    Banshu Kiyomizudera

    Address

    1194 Hiraki, Kato, Hyogo

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00

  • Ichijyoji

    Ichijyoji

    Address

    821-17 Sakamotocho, Kasai, Hyogo

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00

  • Engyoji

    Engyoji

    Address

    2968 Shosha, Himeji, Hyogo

    Opening hours

    Please refer to Ropeway (cable car) operating hours
    <First cable car> 8 : 30 throughout the year
    <Last cable car / Weekdays>
    18:00 (Mar 1st - Oct 10th)
    17:00 (Oct 11th - the end of Feb)
    <Last cable car / Sundays and holidays>
    18:00 (Mar 1st - Mar 31st)
    19:00 (Apr 1st - Oct 10th)
    18:00 (Oct 11th - Nov 30th)
    17:00 (Dec 11th - the end of Feb)

Temples in
Kyoto Kita, Shiga Kita, and Gifu
 Area

This area covers temples in Maizuru, which is a northern city in Kyoto Prefecture famous for Amanohashidate, one of Japan's three scenic views, temples in the northern part of Shiga Prefecture, including the Hogon-ji Temple on Chikubu, which is a small island located on the north side of Lake Biwa; and the Kegon-ji Temple in Gifu Prefecture, the last of the 33 temples.

  • Nariaiji

    Nariaiji

    Address

    339 Nariaiji, Miyazu, Kyoto

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 16:30

  • Matsuno'odera

    Matsuno'odera

    Address

    532 Matsuo, Maizuru, Kyoto

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00

  • Hougonji

    Hougonji

    Address

    1664 Hayazakicho, Nagahama, Shiga

    Opening hours

    9:30 - 16:30

  • Chomeiji

    Chomeiji

    Address

    157 Chomeijicho, Omihachiman, Shiga

    Opening hours

    9:30 - 16:30 (Sightseeing boat service hours)

  • Kannonsyoji

    Kannonsyoji

    Address

    2 Azuchicho Ishidera, Omihachiman, Shiga

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00

  • Kegonji

    Kegonji

    Address

    23 Tanigumi Tokuzumi, Ibigawa-cho, Ibi-gun, Gifu

    Opening hours

    8:00 - 17:00

OMAIRI

Enjoy
Visiting Temples

When people visit a temple, how each person expresses respect varies.
 The most important thing is to respect the culture and religion and accept the fact
 that it is a holy place.
 If people go on a pilgrimage, a basic knowledge of worship will make them enjoy it.
 Here is a quiz to help you develop a basic understanding of worship and temple manners.

Quizzes about Temple
 Manners

  • Q1 Do you have to wear particular clothes?

    • AWear white clothes.

    • BEveryday wear is acceptable.

    Q1

    Do you have to
    wear particular
    clothes    ?

  • Q2 Are there any rules for the order in which to visit the temples?

    • AYes

    • BNo

    Q2

    Are there any rules
     for
     the order in
     which to
     visit
     the temples?

  • Q3 What should not be done at temples?

    • AClapping your hands at the time of worship

    • BPressing your palms together at the time of worship

    Q3

    What should not be
    done     at temples?

close

  • Q1 Do you have to wear particular clothes?

    Q1

    Do you have to
    wear particular
    clothes    ?

  • The correct answer is

    BEveryday wear is acceptable.

    There is no rule that you must wear white clothes; however, a serious mind is essential. Avoid flashy clothing as much as possible.

close

  • Q2 Are there any rules for the order in which to visit the temples?

    Q2

    Are there any rules
    for the order in
    which to visit
    the temples?

  • The correct answer is

    BNo

    There is no particular order to visit the temples; it is okay to visit in any order.

close

  • Q3 What should not be done at temples?

    Q3

    What should not be
    done     at temples?

  • The correct answer is

    APressing your palms together at the time of worship

    People worship by pressing their hands together. The right hand represents Buddha, the left hand represents all creatures, including human beings, and pressing your palms together means you become one with Buddha.

close

  • Q1

    Do you have to
    wear particular
    clothes    ?

  • The correct answer is

    BEveryday wear is acceptable.

    There is no rule that you must wear white clothes; however, a serious mind is essential. Avoid flashy clothing as much as possible.

close

  • Q2

    Are there any rules
     for
     the order in
     which to
     visit
     the temples?

  • 正解は

    BNo

    There is no particular order to visit the temples; it is okay to visit in any order.

close

  • Q3

    What should not be
    done     at temples?

  • The correct answer is

    APressing your palms together at the time of worship

    People worship by pressing their hands together. The right hand represents Buddha, the left hand represents all creatures, including human beings, and pressing your palms together means you become one with Buddha.

How to Visit Temples

  • Bow once with your palms pressed at the main temple gate and enter the precincts.

    Bow once with your palms pressed at the main temple gate and enter the precincts.

  • Cleanse your left hand first, followed by your right hand, and then your mouth, with a water bowl.

    Cleanse your left hand first, followed by your right hand, and then your mouth, with a water bowl.

  • Dedicate offerings, such as incense sticks, candles, saisen (offering coins), or a good luck charm, at the main hall (Kannon-do).

    Dedicate offerings, such as incense sticks, candles, saisen (offering coins), or a good luck charm, at the main hall (Kannon-do).

  • Put the rosary in your left hand and recite a sutra.

    Put the rosary in your left hand and recite a sutra.

  • Make a donation and have your book of stamps (each confirming contribution to a temple on a pilgrimage) stamped.

    Make a donation and have your book of stamps (each confirming contribution to a temple on a pilgrimage) stamped.

  • On the way back, bow once with your palms pressed after you get out of the precincts before you leave.

    On the way back, bow once with your palms pressed after you get out of the precincts before you leave.

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