Daisen-ji

Top choice in Western Honshū


This Buddhist temple dating from 718 on Daisen, long considered a sacred mountain, seems eternally tranquil. In reality, from the eighth to the 14th century the Daisen-ji shrine complex was a hub of power, where armed priests exerted control over the area, protecting its 100 shrines. Surviving a tumultuous history of anti-Buddhist sentiment with closure in 1875 and a fire in 1928, the complex of four wooden worship halls you see today is an image of serenity among the trees.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Western Honshū attractions

1. Ōgamiyama-jinja

0.19 MILES

This appealingly weathered wooden shrine is the oldest building in western Tottori Prefecture. It is up a stone path from Daisen-ji, one of many forest…

2. Daisen Museum of Nature and History

0.32 MILES

This friendly museum has two floors and offers naturalists or the curious a peek at flora, fauna and geology they might not see otherwise. The bird…

3. Shōji Ueda Museum of Photography

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Showcases the works of prominent Tottori Prefecture photographer Shōji Ueda (1913–2000), in a large minimalist concrete building with fabulous views…

4. Masumizu Plateau

7.17 MILES

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5. Adachi Museum of Art

19.24 MILES

Local businessman and art collector Adachi Zenkō founded this excellent museum, located east of Matsue in Yasugi. The collection includes over 100…

6. Mizuki Shigeru Museum

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7. Yūshien Garden

21.4 MILES

This pretty garden occupying an area of around 40,000 sq metres was established privately in 1975 on Lake Nakaumi's Daikonshima Island, between Matsue and…

8. Shimane Prefectural Art Museum

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