Ganjojuin Temple

Ganjojuin Temple

VIEWPOINT

With great transport links along the Izu Hakone Tetsudo Line, Izunokuni is a great place to visit for a relaxing break within easy access. Ganjojuin Temple is one of my favourite temples in the area.

Originally built for prosperity in war, the temple is home to a rich history, all of which you can read/experience for yourself in English! Home to another Brit, you can hear for yourself the immersive story straight from an English-speaking mouth. It is also home to five of Unkei’s national treasure Buddhist sculptures.

Note: in order to preserve the artefacts, no photographs are allowed within the main viewing hall or treasure hall.

Review

I first visited this temple by recommendation of a friend of mine and without any idea of what I would encounter there. I was very pleasantly surprised when we arrived at the temple. Not only were the grounds pretty, the statues extremely interesting and the history itself was leaving me wanting to know more, but a fellow Brit is married to the daughter of the owner and works in the temple.

After reminiscing about the UK, he explained about the temple and the grounds in English (both were originally much larger and were destroyed/shrunk after the buildings were burned down). I’ve never been to a temple before where I had a 100% English tour. It’s very rare in Japan and made me love the temple even more. The temple also is home to five important Buddhism statues so hearing about the authentication process (opening up the statues and examining the plaques inside) was very interesting. I highly recommend trying to get the English explanation if you can!

Also if you have the time, I recommend heading around to the side/back of the temple – where all the statues are. This temple’s cemetery features stone carving caricatures (paid for by the Japanese before they pass). It’s really interesting walking around and seeing how the people wanted to be remembered after they moved on to the next life.

ADDRESS

Ganjojuin Temple
83-1 Jike,
Izunokuni,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
410-2122

+81559497676 (English available)
https://ganjoujuin.jp/english.html (English available)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

The easiest way to get here is by car, however there are good transport links. The nearest train stations are Nirayama and Izunagaoka on the Izuhakone railway line. The temple is around a 15 minute walk from these stations. If you wish to use a local tourist shuttle bus then it departs from Izunagaoka station.