Gakuenji Temple

In Japanese: 鰐淵寺

A Tendai temple said to date from 594, once a mountain training center hidden in a deep valley, with the Furo waterfall and a legend that the warrior monk Benkei trained here. Known as the best autumn foliage spot in Shimane.

Nearby

Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo ≈ 20 min by car
Izumo Taisha Shrine ≈ 20 min by car
Former Taisha Station ≈ 25 min by car
Inasa Beach ≈ 25 min by car
Hinomisaki Lighthouse and Shrine ≈ 25 min by car

Travel times are rough estimates by car.

Plan by month in the app →

Getting there: About 25 min by bus from Unshu-Hirata Station (Ichibata Railway) to Gakuenji car park, then about 15 min on foot
Fee: Adults ¥500, junior/senior high ¥300, elementary ¥200
Good to know: 8:00–17:00 (entry until 16:15); open daily. Parking fees change in the autumn-leaf season
Time needed: 1 h

Open in Google Maps Tourism information →

Checked against the official Japanese website on 2026-10-15. Report outdated info