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Church & Religious Site

Dōjō-ji

📍 1738 Kanemaki, Hidagawa-cho, Hidaka, Wakayama, Japan
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Quick Facts

Location
Japan, Wakayama Shi
Category
Church & Religious Site
Duration
45-60 minutes
Address
1738 Kanemaki, Hidagawa-cho, Hidaka, Wakayama, Japan
Coordinates
33.9111, 135.1760

Introduction

Dojo-ji (Tennezan Dojo-ji) in Hidagawa-cho, Wakayama, is said to have been founded in 701 by vow of Emperor Monmu with Gien as founder, making it the prefecture's oldest temple. Begun as a Hosso temple, it passed to the Tendai sect in the 17th century and is the fifth stop of the Shin-Saigoku thirty-three Kannon pilgrimage. The main hall (1357) and Nio-mon gate are Important Cultural Properties, while the National Treasure 3.2-metre wooden Thousand-Armed Kannon (early Heian) with the Sunlight and Moonlight Bodhisattvas forms a trio of treasures; the Hoto-den hall lets visitors view the images up close with commentary. The temple is the stage of the Anchin and Kiyohime legend — Kiyohime, spurned, tracked the monk to the bell in which he hid and burned him alive — a tale retold in the Noh play 'Dojo-ji' and more than a hundred related works, told with picture scrolls at the Engi-do hall; women also pray here for love and good fortune.

✨ Highlights

1
Wakayama's oldest
A thousand-year temple founded by vow in 701.
2
Three treasures
The Thousand-Armed Kannon with Sunlight and Moonlight Bodhisattvas.
3
Hall and gate
The 1357 main hall and other Important Cultural Properties.
4
Anchin and Kiyohime
The legend behind the Noh 'Dojo-ji' and a hundred works.
5
Scroll telling
The legend explained with picture scrolls at the Engi-do.
6
Kannon stop
The fifth temple of the Shin-Saigoku thirty-three pilgrimage.

🛈 Practical Info

→Location：1738 Kanemaki, Hidagawa-cho, Hidaka, Wakayama, Japan
→Time needed：45-60 minutes

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday9:00-17:00
Tuesday9:00-17:00
Wednesday9:00-17:00
Thursday9:00-17:00
Friday9:00-17:00
Saturday9:00-17:00
Sunday9:00-17:00

Grounds free

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
AdultJPY 600
ChildJPY 300 pupils

Groups 20+ JPY 500/250; grounds free

Transportation

Subway

JR Kisei Line to Dojo-ji Sta., ~8 min on foot

Note

~5 min by taxi from Gobo Sta.; ~8 min from Kawabe IC

💡 Tips

• Open 9:00-17:00; JPY 600 adults, JPY 300 pupils; entering the grounds alone is free.
• The treasure images can be viewed up close in the Hoto-den (paid).
• About 8 minutes on foot from Dojo-ji Station on the JR Kisei Line.
• About 5 minutes by taxi from Gobo Station; ~8 min by car from the Kawabe IC.
• Women pray here for love and luck, after the Kami-ko-hime legend.
• Chain it with Kii-Tanabe and Shirahama on a southern Kii Peninsula trip.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Dōjō-ji?

Monday: 9:00-17:00; Tuesday: 9:00-17:00; Wednesday: 9:00-17:00; Thursday: 9:00-17:00; Friday: 9:00-17:00; Saturday: 9:00-17:00; Sunday: 9:00-17:00; Grounds free

How much is the admission for Dōjō-ji?

Adult: JPY 600; Child: JPY 300 pupils; Groups 20+ JPY 500/250; grounds free

Any practical tips for visiting Dōjō-ji?

Open 9:00-17:00; JPY 600 adults, JPY 300 pupils; entering the grounds alone is free. The treasure images can be viewed up close in the Hoto-den (paid).

How long should I spend at Dōjō-ji?

A typical visit takes 45-60 minutes.

How do I get to Dōjō-ji?

Subway: JR Kisei Line to Dojo-ji Sta., ~8 min on foot