If you're visiting the Tokaido Hiroshige Art Museum in the suburbs of Shizuoka city, it's definitely worth taking a little detour to Honko-ji while you're there. A large Buddhist temple with a peaceful atmosphere, it has some beautifully detailed wooden carvings, statues of fierce guardian demons and serene Buddhist deities, and a terraced hillside graveyard commanding fine views over the ocean and the surrounding countryside and hills.
- 1 min read
Honko-ji Temple in Shizuoka
A charming temple with a view of the ocean
By Peter Sidell
Community writer
The view from above the temple grounds
A boar (I think) and a lion under the eaves
The main statue, of the Kannon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy
Beautifully detailed carvings under the roof
Two fierce statues stand guard at the gate
A statue at the pet cemetery
The main temple buildings
The entrance stone
A small statue with grave markers and offerings
Looking out at the hills behind the temple
A statue at the very top of the hill
Wishes and prayers
Join the discussion
Katie Jackson
9 years ago
Gorgeous photos! Thanks for sharing!
1 comment in total
Book your trip
Find a nearby hotel
Explore some of the best nearby hotels and deals for the perfect place to stay in Japan.
Top Articles
-
1A Hidden Getaway in Yaizu, Shizuoka
Shizuoka - Sponsored -
2Experience Oarai: A Quiet Fishing Town Blessed by the Bounty of the Sea
Ibaraki - Sponsored -
3An Immersive Look Into Akita’s Food Heritage
Akita - Sponsored -
4See Southern Japan with Kirishima As Your Gateway
Kagoshima - Sponsored -
5Japan Pottery Tour: Hands-On Workshops & Artisan Encounters
Culture -
6Ultimate Japan Car Culture Journey - From Auto Salon 2026 to the Open Road
Chiba -
7A Taste of Shiga at COCOSHIGA
Tokyo - Sponsored -
8Discover Shiga Prefecture: Events at COCOSHIGA in Tokyo
Tokyo - Sponsored -
9An Intellectual Journey Through Fujita Tsuguharu’s Legacy in Akita
Akita - Sponsored -
10A Journey Through Western Kyushu
Nagasaki - Sponsored
-
1Tokyo Christmas Market
Tokyo -
2Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan
Planning -
3The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting in Tokyo
Shopping -
4Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo
Tokyo -
5Shibuya Blue Cave Illumination
Tokyo -
6Nabana no Sato Illumination
Mie -
7Winter in Japan: Your Seasonal Guide
Planning -
8Bad Bunny Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour
Tokyo -
9Japanese Urban Legends
Culture -
10Tokyo Auto Salon
Chiba