Daisho-in is the primary Buddhist temple on the island of Miyajima in Hiroshima and also serves as the starting point for the holy pilgrimage from the shores of the island to its mountainous summit. Though it doesn’t always feel like it, this temple has received imperial patronage over the years and was even said to have been founded by Kukai, the founder of Koya-san. The temple is mainly located on the hillside looking down on the tidal flats, but there are several buildings in a variety of locations ranging from the Kannon-dô behind Itsukushima Jinja, to several halls along the climb to the mountain summit.

For the casual: 8. For the educated: 7.

I think my only criticism is about something that it can’t really control: it’s just not as stunning as Itsukushima Jinja. It’s a crazy criticism I know, but after the jovial brightness of vermillian paint, the smell and sight of the crystal blue tidal flats, and the looming statement that is the water torii, going to this temple of dark browns and hints of gold, it just doesn’t have the same presence. In any other place, I think I would be ranking this temple higher, but again, the competition is just on another level all together. That being said, I think that Daisho-in is one of the nicer temples around. There are a series of halls and noted locations within the temple grounds wich bring their own unique taste to the complex. From sutra prayer wheels lining the main stairs to the complex to a cave of sandstone carvings and lanters. Each turn a visitor takes will change the style, the world, and the art available for viewing. The stream of water coming down from the mountain brings in that lovely sound of bubbling water while several waterfalls just upstream add that roaring rush of noise. All of this water and moisture nourishes the rich blanket of moss which covers most of the temple off the stone paths.

I think one of the best perks of this temple is the lack of large crowds. Sure there will be more than a few people visiting the temple and one time, and the narrow layout of the grounds will make even a small group of people feel like a crowd, it really isn’t all that crowded. After visiting Itsukushima Jinja, a place which will almost always have crowds, it’s a welcome escape from it all to make the quick walk through the small town to Daisho-in where you can get a really fantastic view of the sea.

As mentioned before, the climb to the top of the island starts on a gravel trail next to the temple entrance, but I would like to share a warning that the trail is steep and takes about an hour to climb. If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, feel free to follow the signs to the ropeway which will take visitors up to a secondary peak for a small price. From this secondary peak there is a trail which will join with the main trail from the temple to reach the summit.