How to get to and play at Momorinji Temple, a sightseeing spot on Ishigaki Island

Hello everyone!
Have you heard of Tōrin-ji Temple? Tōrin-ji is the oldest wooden structure in Okinawa Prefecture and is also a temple. It is a historic temple that attracts many visitors during the New Year’s holiday season, both for ringing in the New Year and for the first shrine visit of the year. In this article, we’ll introduce you to this historic Tōrin-ji Temple.

About Tōrin-ji Temple

Tōrin-ji is the oldest wooden structure in the prefecture and a temple of the Rinzai school of Buddhism, located about a 15-minute walk from the Ishigaki Island Remote Islands Terminal. It is said that, since there were no temples in the Yaeyama Islands at the time, the Satsuma Domain advised King Shō Nei upon their invasion of the Ryukyu Islands, leading to the temple’s construction alongside the Gongen-dō Hall. The temple gate features two Nio guardian statues, which are the oldest wooden sculptures in Okinawa, created in the second year of the Genbun era. It is a prefecturally designated tangible cultural property and a valuable asset from an academic perspective.

Directions to Tōrin-ji Temple

Exit the Ishigaki Island Remote Islands Terminal and go straight down the road on your left. Turn left onto City Hall Street and continue straight. Turn right onto Torinji West Street and continue straight for a short while; you’ll see Torinji Temple on your right.

Detailed Information on Tōrin-ji Temple

Tōrin-ji is the oldest wooden structure in Okinawa Prefecture and was built by the Satsuma Domain, which invaded Okinawa approximately 400 years ago.

Swept away by the massive tsunami caused by the Yaeyama Earthquake of 1771, both Tōrin-ji Temple and the Gongen-dō Hall were completely destroyed. Reconstruction began the year after the destruction, and the Gongen-dō Hall was rebuilt 14 years later, in 1786. During the New Year’s pilgrimage season, Tōrin-ji Temple becomes extremely crowded with both locals and tourists, second only to Tomizaki Kannon-dō. You can receive temple stamps and amulets here, so be sure to stop by after your visit! The fee for amulets is placed in the offering box—a tradition unique to Ishigaki Island. In front of the main hall of Tōrin-ji stands a bell tower, and at the end of the year, its solemn and beautiful chimes echo through the air.

The mountain gate of Tōrin-ji houses statues of Kongō Rikishi and Mitsu-ji Rikishi, which were created in 1737, six years after the temple was founded. Although they were swept away by the tsunami caused by the Yaeyama Earthquake mentioned above, they were eventually discovered washed up on the shore following a search, restored, and reinstalled in the mountain gate. While there are several temples throughout the Yaeyama Islands, Tōrin-ji and Izumo Taisha Sakishima Hongū in the Shiraho area are the only two where you can receive a goshuin (temple stamp). Recently, many people have come to enjoy collecting goshuin as a hobby in and of itself.

A goshuin is a stamp given as proof that you have visited a shrine or temple. Since each shrine and temple has its own unique goshuin, it’s really fun to look at them. You’ll need a goshuin book to collect them, so be sure to purchase one in advance.

How to Enjoy Tōrin-ji Temple

Tōrin-ji Temple, located at the southernmost tip of Japan and the oldest wooden structure in Okinawa, is a historic temple with a serene atmosphere. At the entrance to Tōrin-ji stand statues of the Kongō Rikishi and Mitsuki Rikishi, and the surrounding area features the Ishigaki Family Garden, so even just strolling around here gives you a deeply sacred feeling. At Tōrin-ji, you can sense the history and culture in Okinawa’s traditional red-tiled houses and the giant banyan trees, which are also famous as ornamental plants. It’s a highly recommended spot for those who are tired from sightseeing or looking to refresh themselves.

Near Tōrin-ji Temple, there are several cafes and restaurants where you can stop for a quick break. It’s a great idea to visit the temple during the refreshing morning hours and then relax at a cafe for breakfast or lunch. We’ll introduce some of these options below.
There’s a café called Vanilla Deli located 360 meters from Tōrin-ji Temple. Their hamburger steak, made with Ishigaki beef—a specialty of Ishigaki Island—is topped with avocado and wasabi sauce, giving it a rich, deep flavor. Ishigaki beef is a juicy A5-grade Wagyu with plenty of natural juices, and it’s so delicious you’ll find yourself coming back for more.

There’s also a sushi restaurant called Sushi Taro, which specializes in island fish, located 350 meters from Tōrin-ji Temple. Run by local fishermen, this authentic seafood izakaya serves freshly caught island fish, so you’re sure to be satisfied.
When you visit Ishigaki Island, be sure to enjoy the local seafood.

summary

We’ve introduced you to Tōrin-ji Temple. What did you think?

Here are some of the highlights of Tōrin-ji Temple:
Tōrin-ji Temple, a popular destination for New Year’s visits, was the oldest wooden structure in Okinawa Prefecture.

Be sure to check out the points mentioned above and pay a visit to Tōrin-ji Temple.
Thank you for reading to the end.

This article was written by.

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