Kimii-dera (Temple) is famous for early-flowering cherry blossoms and it is also the second temple where you can get the amulet in west Japan and pilgrims in pilgrimage dressing with their walking sticks and an earnest eyes.
The precincts are located above more than 200 stone steps, but from April 5, 2022, elderly people and people with disabilities can now go up with peace of mind by using the cable car. You can see a beautiful scenery overlooking Wakaura Bay from above.
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Passing through the gate of Kimiidera, you will be greeted by a very steep slope with 231 steps, which has the romantic name “Yuenzaka” which means match-making slope. If you would like to pray for good luck and a prosperous business, why not make a wish to the “Kannon” which is the Goddess of Mercy. Also, I found the golden cat in the picture and it was so cute that I gave an offering and took it home with me.
After climbing to the top, I recommend visiting the nearby “Tenku Cafe” apart from the worshipping. The view is wonderful. I ordered a matcha ice cream but during the winter season, you are able to order hot matcha drinks and Japanese snacks.
Rin
She is a travel blogger and YouTuber from Taiwan and lives in Kyoto. She's went to Wakayama City, on September 18th to 19th 2020.
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The eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva, the principal idol famous for the fulfillment of wishes such as warding off evil, fulfillment of good luck, easy delivery, and pregnancy. The entrance tower gate is also certified as a nationally designated cultural property and is carved with bright peony and lotus flowers.
At the other entrance, there is a statue of King Enma, and you can feel the dignity and power from the expressions on his face.
There is a record that a former athletics player (Shinji Aoto) climbed in 21.9 seconds. However, the slope is quite steep, so be careful trying to challenge yourself!
Finally, I came to Kimiidera, and it was worth climbing the 200 steps or so, and the sky and the scenery of Wakayama really is beautiful.
There were many worshipers at Kimiidera on the day, but the area was so large, that it didn’t feel crowded at all.
The origin of the name of Kimiidera is about 1250 years ago, when the monk Tamiko Jonin founded it. Three wells that spring up without being dried out even in the event of a drought or flood: (clean water), (Yoyanagisui), (Kisshosui), so called Kimiidera. The photo shown is the clean water, and the clean water shows virtue. Water to drink when you make a mistake and want to apologize to the other person. (Yangyanagisui) and (Kisshosui) also have motifs. Kimiidera has a large site, so it is recommended that you relax and enjoy the sightseeing. Note: Mitsui water is a natural mineral water, so it is recommended to boil it before drinking.
Weng Peiyi, graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Waseda University in Japan. A backpacking trip after graduating from the university subverted her perception of travel, changed her view of world, and then shared her travel experience on the online platform, Freelancer. Love nature, travel, culture, text, film, and photography.
Kimii-dera Temple has a history of 1300 years, and it is the No. 2 sakura of the “Western Thirty-three Places”. Because there are still many cherry trees in the temple, Kimii-dera Temple is a famous cherry blossom site. Unfortunately, I was visiting in November. The trees are bare. I believe that in the spring, Kimii-dera Temple will turn pink, and it will be quite lively.
Kimii-dera Temple is named after the “Mitsui water” (purified water, willow water, and auspicious water) that flow from Kishu and the temple. The gate, bell tower, multi-tower and wooden Thousand-hand Guanyin statue at the entrance are all designated as important cultural heritage.
In front of the gate
Very cute puppy painted horse
It’s lovely to see plants like green onions along the stone ladder.
Kimii-dera Temple is located on the mountainside, climbing up from the entrance, climbing the 231-level stone ladder to reach the main hall. According to legend, this stone ladder also has the function of “binding” and “removing doom.
Board the observation deck of the Guanyin Temple
From the observation deck of the Kannon-in Temple, you can enjoy the view of Wakayama city and the bay, and even Tokushima on the other side.
Stunning views of Wakayama city and bay
Kimii-dera Temple
Address: 1201 Kimitsuji Temple, Wakayama City Access: 5-minute walk from JR Kimitsuji Station
I'm a 37 years old French photographer based in Paris and native of Brittany.
Passion for photography has grown steadily when I was traveling all around the world trying to capture every unforgettable experience I met on my way with a view to collect and share them.
He've been to Wakayama City, from 26th to 28th November in 2018.
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Kimiidera temple is the most important temple to visit in Wakayama City. It was be built in 770! If you climb up to the temple, you will enjoy a very impressive panorama view of Wakayama city. I would strongly recommend to visit this place during Cherry Blossom: last week of March or first week of April depending on the weather.
There is also a 12 meters tall big buddha inside the temple (Dai Kannon).
I'm a 37 years old French photographer based in Paris and native of Brittany.
Passion for photography has grown steadily when I was traveling all around the world trying to capture every unforgettable experience I met on my way with a view to collect and share them.
He've been to Wakayama City, from 26th to 28th November in 2018.
https://www.loiclagarde.com
Kimiidera temple is the most important temple to visit in Wakayama City. It was be built in 770! If you climb up to the temple, you will enjoy a very impressive panorama view of Wakayama city. I would strongly recommend to visit this place during Cherry Blossom.
Romina is originally Romanian and a real travel enthusiast. She is a photographer, videographer and writer who likes to help people find out more about traveling.
Her blog is "Miss Tourist".
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Founded in 770, Kimii-Dera temple sits proudly at the edge of Mt Nagusa-Yama, 231 steps above the city. I know it sounds like a lot of effort, but the view from above and the entire scenery is definitely worth it!
“Kimii-dera” means the “the temple in Wakayama with three fountains”. The entire site is very peaceful and it is the perfect place to have some rest after the long way up. The scenery includes a pond, fountains, many shrines, and small statues and there are also some cafes, vending machines, and souvenir shops on the way up. There were only a couple of locals visiting when I was there, so I really felt like I had the entire place to myself!
If this temple was so beautiful in August, I can only imagine how splendid the entire scenery is in spring, with the cherry blossoms or during autumn, when there are red leaves everywhere!
One of the highlights of this temple is the Buddha Statue called “Kimii-dera Dai Kannon”. It is a mesmerizing 12-meters tall golden statue made of wood, built in 2008 and it is the biggest wooden statue in Japan until today! The statue depicts Daisenju-juichimenkanzeon-bosatsu-zo (try to pronounce that!), a Buddhist saint with 100 hands and 11 faces, and it is super impressive!
How to get there: Take the buses 40, 42, 43 (Platform 1) or 20, 121, 22, 122 (Platform 2) from Wakayama Station and get down at Kimiidera station (about 25 minutes). The temple is a 5-10-minutes long walk from the station. Price of the bus ticket is 400¥.
Bino is a part-time wanderer and a Singapore travel blogger. In his website, he shares with all of you his top travel tips. Along the way, he also provides travel guides to compelling destinations, recommendations on awesome food to try and impressive hotels to stay.
He've been to Wakayama City, from 29 June to 1st July in 2018.
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Kimiidera is located on a hill and requires a climb of around 231 steps to reach the top. If you’d rather not climb, you can hire a taxi from Kimiidera station to take you up.
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S’il n’y avait qu’un seul temple à voir à Wakayama, ce serait celui-là. Le temple de Kimii-dera a été fondé au VIIIème siècle par un moine venu de Chine. Il faut monter 230 marches pour y accéder et payer un modeste droit d’entrée (200 yens). On peut y voir une spectaculaire statue de Bouddha dorée de 12 mètres de haut.
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Kimii-dera Temple is known for its early-blooming cherry blossom so despite being several weeks early for sakura season I crossed my fingers and climbed the steps to this Buddhist temple.
Kimii-dera Temple is known for its early-blooming cherry blossomKimii-dera Temple is worth the little climbPrayer cards for petsEarly cherry blossom at Kimii-dera Temple
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In the beginning of December,2016,she took a trip to Wakayama City.
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With so many Buddhist shrines and temples, you could spend days in Wakayama City and still not discover them all! Below are just a handful of temples and shrines I’d recommend visiting, but there are hundreds more. These are a few of the major highlights in Wakayama City…
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In the beginning of October, 2016, she took a trip to Wakayama City.
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No matter which mode of transportation you use, you will definitely see the Kimiidera shrine as you pass it! It’s nestled in the side of the mountain, standing out in bright red amongst the dark green forestry. It’s a little bit high up, about 200 steps or so, but totally worth it for the view!
