Daiseiin

Daishoin, located at the foot of Mt. Misen in Miyajima, is surrounded by a rich natural environment and can be reached by climbing a long staircase to the top of the hill! The walk from Miyajima Pier to Daishoin takes about 20 minutes on foot, so first aim for Itsukushima Shrine! Behind Itsukushima Shrine, there is a quiet street lined with townhouses called Takinokoji, and if you continue up the mountain, you will see the Niomon Gate. Once you pass through the splendid Niomon Gate, a long stone staircase of perhaps 100 steps continues before you, so it's recommended to wear comfortable shoes! The opening hours are from 8am to 5pm, and admission is free. As there are many attractions at this temple, it takes about 1-2 hours to explore! Climbing the stone steps can be tough, but Daishoin is the oldest temple in Miyajima and is also famous as a power spot, so be sure to visit when you go to Miyajima!

Pass through the Niomon Gate and immediately to the left, you can see a group of small Buddha statues called the "Gohyaku Rakan-zo" on the stone steps! As the name suggests, the Buddha statues lined up on both sides of the stone steps are surrounded by a mysterious atmosphere that is not often seen. The statues wearing colorful knit hats are cute, and each face has a subtle individuality, so it is recommended to take a leisurely stroll! This is also a popular photo spot, so be sure to visit when you come to visit the Daisei-in Temple! There are also many other Buddha statues and Jizo statues on the premises, so it's fun to explore while searching for them!

On the way to the main hall of Daiseiin, there are several interesting blessing spots, so why not enjoy them while making your way to the hall? On the stone steps of the Niomon gate, there is a large Hannya sutra tube with a stick attached that can be turned by hand. It is said that you can obtain good luck by turning the stick while climbing the stairs, so be sure to give it a try! Further up the stairs, near the Onarimon gate, there is a Bell Sakura Hall where you can find "wish balls" that can tell you whether your wish will come true or not. To try this, you throw three balls (three balls for 300 yen) into a jar placed a little away from the stone steps, and if the balls go into the jar, it is said that your wish will come true. It's fun to give it a try! Just climbing the long stairs can be tiring, but there are various fun gimmicks along the way, so you can enjoy the journey as well!

Henjokutsu Cave is a space where the main image of the temple of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage is enshrined, and inside, there are many lanterns hanging from the ceiling, creating a fantastic atmosphere! If you go deeper into the grounds of Daishoin, you will find the Henjokutsu Cave in the underground space dug beneath the main hall, so first aim for the entrance of the cave, which is marked "Henjokutsu Cave Entrance"! Inside the cave, there is a spacious area where 88 Buddha statues are enshrined, and sand from each of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage temples is spread in front of each main image, making it easy to pilgrimage by circling around each statue in this hall! This space, where many lanterns and main images welcome you, is truly fantastic and a must-see spot when visiting Daishoin!

One of the popular power spots at Daishoin Temple is Ichigan Daishi, which is said to grant one wish! Ichigan Daishi is located behind the main hall, and it can be difficult to see from the front, so be sure to check it out without forgetting! Inside the small shrine with the words "Ichigan Daishi" written on it, there is a cute-sized statue of Daishi, and around it are many votive tablets with wishes written on them. Please take a moment to visit the back of the main hall and your wish will surely be granted!

While Miyajima has many famous spots for fall foliage, Koseiin Temple is a popular spot for its beautiful autumn leaves and the solemn atmosphere of the historic temple. You can enjoy the fall foliage throughout the temple grounds, but the most popular spots are the 500 Rakan statues and the vibrant red foliage. The colorful Buddha statues wearing knitted hats and the red trees make for a beautiful scene no matter where you take pictures. In addition, there are many other attractions such as the large ginkgo tree in front of the Niomon Gate and the fall foliage around the stone steps, making it a must-visit spot for autumn in Miyajima.