Kosanji is one of the most extraordinary and flamboyant temples in Japan, built in the twentieth century by a businessman in memory of his mother. Spread across a hillside on Ikuchijima island along the Shimanami Kaido, its buildings are lavish recreations of famous temple architecture from across Japan, painted in dazzling colours and gold, alongside a vast underground ‘cave of hell and heaven’. Crowning it all is the Hill of Hope (Miraishin no Oka), a surreal hilltop entirely sculpted from gleaming white Italian marble into abstract terraces, arches and viewpoints overlooking the Seto Inland Sea. Extravagant, colourful and quite unlike any ancient temple, Kosanji is a joyful, photogenic highlight of the Shimanami island-hopping route.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Ikuchijima Island, Onomichi |
| Hours | ~9:00–17:00 |
| Admission | Around ¥1,400 adults |
| Time needed | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best time | Year-round; clear days for the marble hill |
What to See
- Dazzling recreated temple halls in colour and gold.
- The white marble Hill of Hope sculpture garden.
- An underground ‘cave of hell and heaven’.
- Sea views from the surreal marble hilltop.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with the Shimanami Kaido cycling route.
- Pair with Oyamazumi Shrine on the next island.
- Read our Ehime overview .
Getting There
- On the Shimanami Kaido: by bike, bus or car to Ikuchijima.
- By bus: Shimanami buses stop near Setoda on Ikuchijima.
Tips
Buy the full ticket that includes the marble Hill of Hope, which is the highlight and worth the extra, and come on a clear day when the white marble and sea views are at their most striking. Allow time for the colourful halls and the underground cave too, and work it into a Shimanami trip alongside Oyamazumi Shrine on the neighbouring island.
