Major Temples of Teramachi
Ganshoji Temple: Historic Architecture and a Traditional Garden
Ganshoji is a Shingon Buddhist temple whose history is associated with Awa Naishi, a lady-in-waiting who served Emperor Sutoku during the Heian period. According to tradition, she established the temple to pray for the emperor’s repose after his death. The temple was originally located in the capital before being moved to Vimaji, an ancient temple in Awa Province said to have been founded during the Nara period and connected with her mother’s hometown. It subsequently became known as Ganshoji.
The temple received patronage from successive provincial governors and feudal lords, eventually becoming one of the area’s important religious institutions.
One of its architectural highlights is the eight-legged gate, a Meiji-period structure registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. The temple is also home to the Ganshoji Garden, created during the Muromachi period and designated a Place of Scenic Beauty by Tokushima Prefecture. Its waterfall arrangement reflects a style also found at Tenryuji Temple in Kyoto, offering a glimpse of traditional Japanese garden design.
The grounds also contain the Mima Local History Museum, described as the oldest museum in Tokushima Prefecture. Together, the historic buildings, garden, and museum make Ganshoji an excellent starting point for exploring Teramachi.
Anrakuji Temple: A Buddhist Center with a Distinguished Past
Anrakuji belongs to the Jodo Shinshu tradition of Buddhism. It began during the Kamakura period as Shinnyoji, a Tendai Buddhist temple. According to its history, a man named Chiba Hikotaro Tsuneshige arrived from eastern Japan and entered the temple, which subsequently adopted Jodo Shinshu teachings and the name Anrakuji.
Under the protection of successive provincial rulers, Anrakuji flourished and eventually established more than 80 branch temples throughout Shikoku, becoming an influential religious center.
The temple’s surviving buildings include a vermilion-lacquered two-story gate dating from the middle of the Edo period, registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan. The main hall was built in the early Showa period, while the bell tower dates from the Meiji period and the study hall from the Taisho period. A Noh stage was added in 1996, and the temple continues to provide a setting for cultural events as well as religious activities.
Rinshoji Temple: An Impressive Zelkova Gate and a Golden Ginkgo
Rinshoji is a Jodo Shinshu temple believed to have been founded during the Muromachi period by Rinsyo, the younger brother of Gansho, the eighth chief priest of Anrakuji.
Its main gate is a distinctive mukō-karamon, a traditional Chinese-style gate constructed entirely from Japanese zelkova wood. A large ginkgo tree stands within the grounds, transforming the temple landscape in autumn when its leaves turn brilliant gold.
Rinshoji also hosts an annual chrysanthemum exhibition in early November. With a history approaching half a century, the event attracts visitors who come to admire the carefully cultivated flowers against the backdrop of the temple’s historic architecture.
Saikyoji Temple: Traditional Buildings and a Stone Garden
Saikyoji was established in the early Edo period as a retirement residence for Masamune, the tenth chief priest of Anrakuji. It maintained a status comparable to that of its parent temple and once oversaw ten branch temples in Awa and Sanuki, the historic names for parts of present-day Tokushima and Kagawa prefectures.
Several of its buildings are registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan, including the main hall and the yakui-mon gate, both dating from the late Edo period, as well as a sutra repository built in the early Showa period.
The old wooden structures harmonize with the temple’s stone garden, creating a quiet setting in which visitors can appreciate traditional Buddhist architecture and the restrained beauty of Japanese landscaping.
Jonенji Temple: A Peaceful Sanctuary Among the Trees
Jonенji was originally a Tendai Buddhist temple known as Kairakuzan Rengein. It converted to Jodo Shinshu during the Muromachi period and adopted its present name. The temple is also said to have been revived during the Azuchi-Momoyama period by Kishu, the eldest son of Masamune, the tenth chief priest of Anrakuji.
The grounds contain a main gate, main hall, study hall, and priests’ quarters. The main hall, built in the late Edo period, is particularly notable for the way its traditional architecture blends with the surrounding trees. The peaceful setting makes Jonenji a rewarding stop for visitors seeking a quieter side of Teramachi.
Other Highlights Around Teramachi
The Ruins of Kōzato Temple
The Ruins of Kōzato Temple preserve the remains of what is considered the oldest temple site in Tokushima Prefecture, established in the early Nara period. The complex followed the Hōkiji-style layout, with its pagoda and main hall arranged in a configuration that reverses the usual left-right arrangement associated with Horyuji Temple in Nara.
The original temple precinct covered an area of approximately 100 meters square. It is believed to have been built as a clan temple by a powerful local family that governed the region, reflecting the prosperity and cultural connections of ancient Mima.
Stone foundation remains from the original complex can still be seen on the pagoda platform. Near the center of the former temple grounds stands a huge ginkgo tree estimated to be around 700 years old. The combination of archaeological remains and the ancient tree offers a striking connection between the area’s distant past and its present landscape.
Teramachi Park: A Seasonal Display of Irises
Teramachi Park is known for its irises, which bring vibrant color to the grounds in early summer. The annual Teramachi Iris Festival is held in early June, when the flowers are at their best and visitors can enjoy the park’s natural beauty alongside the district’s historical attractions.
How to Get to Teramachi
By public transportation: From Sadamitsu Station on the JR Tokushima Line, take a Mima City community bus to Teramachi Bus Stop. The journey takes approximately 10 minutes.
By car: Teramachi is approximately five minutes from Mima Interchange on the Tokushima Expressway and about 15 minutes from the historic Udatsu Streetscape in Wakimachi.
Parking: Visitors can use the Nanmatsu-no-Oka parking area at Teramachi Park, which accommodates approximately 30 vehicles.
Explore More of Mima City
Teramachi makes an excellent starting point for discovering the wider Mima area. Nearby attractions include Michi-no-Eki Mima no Sato, where visitors can browse fresh local produce and regional specialties, and Wakimachi Theater Odeonza, a restored historic playhouse that evokes the atmosphere of Japan’s Showa era.
The former Nagaoka Family Residence, built in 1735 and designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, is also nearby. Approximately a ten-minute walk away, this traditional farmhouse offers insight into historic rural life and building techniques.
Other worthwhile stops include Saimyoji Temple, famous for its bush clover flowers; Anmitsu-kan, a popular place to enjoy sweets made with local ingredients; and De Rijke Park, which commemorates flood-control works associated with Dutch engineer Johannis de Rijke. The historic merchant streets of Wakimachi Minamimachi and the former Yoshida Family Residence provide further opportunities to explore the region’s architectural heritage.
Experience the Quiet Heritage of Teramachi
Teramachi brings together centuries of Buddhist history, traditional architecture, gardens, and archaeological remains in one peaceful district. Each temple has its own story, from Ganshoji’s historic garden to Anrakuji’s influential religious network and Rinshoji’s golden ginkgo tree in autumn.
Whether you are interested in Japanese Buddhism, historic buildings, ancient ruins, or seasonal flowers, Teramachi offers a rewarding cultural experience away from the bustle of larger tourist destinations. Take time to walk between the temples, admire their distinctive details, and discover the enduring traditions of Mima City.