The entire Miraishin no Oka sculpture garden was designed by sculptor Itto Kuetani using marble imported from Carrara, Italy.
The founder, Kanemoto Kozo, was a successful businessman who spent 30 years building the complex to express his filial piety.
The complex houses an extensive collection of registered Important Cultural Properties, including tea utensils used by historical tea masters.
The underground Thousand-Buddha Cave features intricate dioramas representing Buddhist concepts of the afterlife.
The temple grounds contain multiple architectural replicas designed to allow visitors to view famous Japanese landmarks in one location.
The white marble used in the hilltop garden is sourced from the same region in Italy used by Michelangelo for his sculptures.
The site includes a modern art gallery dedicated to the works of Ping-Ming Hsieh, a prominent sculptor.
The temple maintains a seasonal collection of seasonal flowers, particularly cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage, arranged around the marble sculptures.
Kousanji Temple is a sprawling Buddhist complex on Ikuchijima Island, established by industrialist Kanemoto Kozo to honor his mother. The site is famous for the Miraishin no Oka (Hill of Hope), a 5,000-square-meter garden constructed entirely of white Italian marble. The architecture intentionally replicates several famous Japanese temples, including a copy of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine’s Yomeimon Gate. The temple serves as a cultural museum housing a significant collection of Japanese art, tea ceremony implements, and Buddhist artifacts. Visitors can explore the Thousand-Buddha Cave, an underground tunnel lined with hundreds of stone statues. The grounds span a significant portion of the Setoda town waterfront. Despite its traditional religious functions, the complex functions primarily as a modern museum and public art exhibition space. The site integrates natural island scenery with unconventional, highly stylized religious architecture.
The highest point of the Miraishin no Oka marble garden looking toward the sea.
Allow extra time for the Thousand-Buddha Cave as it is longer and more detailed than most typical temple grottoes.
Wear comfortable shoes with good grip, as the polished marble surfaces on the Hill of Hope can become slippery.
Check the upper levels of the marble garden for views overlooking the Seto Inland Sea.
Do not wear high heels or slippery footwear, as the marble paths are steep and reflective.
Remove shoes when entering temple buildings; maintain a quiet demeanor in religious areas.
