Daisho-in Temple
大聖院
The oldest Shingon temple on Miyajima, with fascinating features including 500 arhat statues, prayer wheels lining the stone steps and 88 Buddha images in the underground Henjokutsu cave.
Daisho-in sits at the foot of Mount Misen. According to tradition, it was founded in 806 by Kukai (Kobo Daishi). It is Miyajima's oldest temple, and until the Meiji period it oversaw the rites at Itsukushima Shrine. Along the stone steps, the handrails are inlaid with bronze prayer wheels inscribed with scriptures, and turning each one is said to equal reading the sutra once. The 500 stone arhat statues each have distinct expressions and wear red knitted caps. In the underground Henjokutsu, Buddha images of the 88 temples of the Shikoku pilgrimage are enshrined in dim candlelight, creating a striking atmosphere. Admission is free. It is about a 10-minute walk from the exit of Itsukushima Shrine and serves as the starting point of the 'Daisho-in Course' hiking route up Mount Misen.
Opening hours
08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Tahoto Pagoda
- Miyajima History and Folklore Museum
- Itsukushima Shrine Treasure Hall
- Daigan-ji Temple
- Itsukushima Shrine
- Miyajima Public Aquarium (Miyajimarin)
- Kiyomori Shrine
- Senjokaku & Five-storied Pagoda