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Wakayama: Dojoji Temple and Japan’s Tragic Love Legend

By DeepExperience
Free cancellation available
Price is P 10,181 per adult* *Get lower prices by selecting more than 2 adults
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 1h 30m
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages

Overview

Discover the rich history of Dojoji Temple, a site of deep spiritual significance and home to the captivating legend of Anchin and Kiyohime. This 1.5-hour guided tour offers a unique insight into the temple’s ancient architecture and serene Buddha statues. Witness the traditional E-toki performance, where monks narrate the famous love story through beautifully illustrated scrolls. Experience a connection to Japan's cultural heritage and explore the tranquil grounds that have inspired countless artistic expressions.

  • 1.5-hour guided tour of historic Dojoji Temple
  • Learn about the legendary tale of Anchin and Kiyohime
  • Enjoy a traditional E-toki performance with illustrated scrolls
  • Explore the temple's serene surroundings and ancient architecture

Activity location

  • Dojoji Temple
    • 1738 Kanemaki,
    • 649-1331, Hidakagawa-cho, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • 道成寺石段
    • Kanemaki
    • 649-1331, Hidakagawa, Wakayama, Japan

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

From Dojoji Temple
  • Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes1h 30m
    1h 30m
  • English

From Dojoji Temple
Starting point:
道成寺石段, Kanemaki, Hidakagawa, Hidaka District, Wakayama 649-1331, Japan

Price details
P 10,181.37 x 1 AdultP 10,181.37
Total
Price is P 10,181.37
Until Thu, Mar 26
From Dojoji Station
  • Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes1h 30m
    1h 30m
  • English

From Dojoji Station
Starting point:
Dōjōji Station, Fujii Fujitacho, Gobō, Wakayama 649-1341, Japan

Price details
P 12,066.80 x 1 AdultP 12,066.80
Total
Price is P 12,066.80
Until Thu, Mar 26

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Admiration of historic buildings
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Viewing of Buddhist images
  • What's includedWhat's included
    E-toki picture storytelling performance
  • What's includedWhat's included
    1.5-hour guided tour
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Meals and drinks

Know before you book

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Dojoji Temple

  • 40m
  • Admission ticket included
Standing quietly on the banks of the Hidaka River in central Wakayama, Dojoji Temple is one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples, founded over 1,300 years ago—even predating Mount Koya. Revered for its long history and graceful temple architecture, Dojoji has been a spiritual center for generations of monks and pilgrims. The temple is most famous as the setting of the Legend of Anchin and Kiyohime, a tragic love story that gave birth to one of Japan’s most enduring cultural traditions. This tale of devotion, jealousy, and transformation has inspired countless works of Noh, Kabuki, and Bunraku theater. Visitors walking through the temple grounds can admire its ancient halls, serene Buddha statues, and the quiet beauty of a place where faith and legend intertwine. More than just a historic site, Dojoji is a living monument to the emotional depth and artistry of Japan’s spiritual heritage, continuing to captivate those who seek both peace and imagination.

道成寺 縁起堂 安珍清姫伝説絵解き

  • 50m
  • Admission ticket included
Within the temple precincts stands the Dojoji Engi Hall, where visitors can experience an extraordinary tradition known as “E-toki”—the sacred art of picture storytelling. During an E-toki performance, temple monks narrate the legendary tale of Anchin and Kiyohime while gradually unrolling a long illustrated scroll filled with exquisitely painted scenes. Through voice, rhythm, and imagery, the story comes alive before your eyes, blending faith, art, and emotion in a single timeless performance. This unique storytelling ritual has been passed down at Dojoji for centuries, and today, it is the only temple in Japan that continues to preserve this ancient practice. The gentle cadence of the monk’s voice, the flicker of light upon the scroll, and the tragic beauty of the tale create a deeply moving experience that connects visitors to Japan’s medieval culture and its living spiritual artistry.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Dojoji Temple
    • 1738 Kanemaki,
    • 649-1331, Hidakagawa-cho, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    道成寺石段
    • Kanemaki
    • 649-1331, Hidakagawa, Wakayama, Japan
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Dōjōji Station
    • Fujii
    • 649-1341, Gobō, Wakayama, Japan

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