Little statues
In knitted caps.
Sailko — CC BY 3.0 · Francisco Anzola — CC BY 2.0 · Maarten Heerlien from Voorschoten, The Netherlands — CC BY 2.0 · Iflwlou — CC BY-SA 4.0 · KimonBerlin — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Dimitri Ségard — CC BY 3.0 · Celuici — CC BY-SA 3.0 · KimonBerlin — CC BY-SA 2.0
A Buddhist temple complex on the slopes of Mount Misen on Itsukushima (Miyajima), counted as the oldest temple on the island and set within the World Heritage area of Itsukushima Shrine. Tradition says the monk Kūkai founded it in 806. Visitors climb long stone stairways lined with small halls and lanterns, past hundreds of little stone statues, many of them dressed in bright knitted caps. The temple is famous for its maples, which turn red in autumn, and its terraces look over the island and the sea. In 2026 its Reikado hall, which kept a flame said to have burned since the 9th century, collapsed in a fire; the temple's administrators said they had saved the flame and plan to rebuild the hall. Entry is free, and it opens 8:00-17:00, per visitor guides. It is about a 10-minute walk from Itsukushima Shrine, and one of the Mount Misen trails starts here.
In knitted caps.
Red around the halls.
Among the lanterns.
Foot of Mount Misen, Miyajima island
Yes, entry is free and it opens 8:00-17:00 per visitor guides; one of the Mount Misen trails starts here.
