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Hompukuji Water Temple: A Submerged Sanctuary of Serenity

Discover a unique Buddhist temple on Awaji Island, where modern architecture meets spiritual serenity beneath a lotus-filled pond.

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The Hompukuji Water Temple, also known as Mizumido, is a unique Buddhist temple designed by Tadao Ando on Awaji Island. Its most striking feature is a lotus pond on the roof, which you descend through to reach the vermilion-hued main hall below, creating a serene and spiritual experience.

A brief summary to Hompukuji Water Temple

Local tips

  • Visit during the late afternoon to witness the vermilion glow of the main hall as warm light radiates through a west-facing window.
  • The best time to see the lotus flowers in full bloom is during the summer months, from May to September.
  • Photography is not allowed inside the main hall.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Sannomiya Station in Kobe, take a highway bus to Awaji Island. Several bus terminals in Sannomiya offer routes to Awaji IC, the gateway to the island's attractions. From Awaji IC, transfer to the free shuttle bus that travels around Awaji Island's popular attractions. Alternatively, take the Awaji Loop Bus that circles the northern part of the island. The bus stops directly in front of the temple. Bus fare from Sannomiya to Awaji IC is around ¥2,200. The Awaji Loop Bus tickets are ¥500 for a single journey or ¥1,000 for a day pass.

  • Car

    The temple is located a 5-minute drive from the Higashiura Interchange on the Kobe-Awaji-Naruto Expressway. From the interchange, follow the signs to the temple. Parking is available at the temple. Note that access to Awaji Island by car is exclusively on the tolled expressway. Expect to pay tolls on the immediate final approach. Parking is available with 30 spaces.

  • Ferry

    Take the Akashi Awaji Ferry from Akashi Port to Iwaya Port on Awaji Island. From Iwaya Port, take the Awaji Loop Bus to the temple. The ferry crossing takes about 15 minutes. The ferry fare is ¥500 for adults and ¥250 for children. A bicycle is an extra ¥220. From the Iwaya Port, you can take the Awaji Loop Bus. The bus stops directly in front of Honpukuji Water Temple, making access easy and convenient. Loop bus tickets are ¥500 for a single journey or ¥1,000 for a day pass.

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Discover more about Hompukuji Water Temple

Nestled on Awaji Island, the Hompukuji Water Temple offers a tranquil escape that blends modern architecture with traditional Buddhist symbolism. Designed by the renowned architect Tadao Ando, this temple, also known as Mizumido, reimagines the conventional temple design. Instead of a towering structure, Ando created a space where the main hall is located beneath a lotus-covered pond. The approach to the temple is a carefully orchestrated experience. Visitors walk along a stone path through a wooded slope, eventually encountering concrete walls that guide them to the oval-shaped pond. This pond acts as a reflecting pool, mirroring the sky and surrounding landscape, creating a sense of calm and anticipation. To enter the temple, visitors descend a staircase that bisects the pond. This descent through the water is symbolic, representing a transition from the everyday world to a sacred space. The staircase leads to a curved corridor bathed in reddish light, guiding visitors to the main hall. The main hall is a circular space with vermilion-painted walls, creating an immersive and spiritual atmosphere. Statues of Fudo Myo O and Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, are enshrined here, further emphasizing the temple's connection to this Buddhist sect. The best time to visit is between May and September when the lotus flowers are in full bloom, adding to the temple's serene beauty.

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