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A centuries-old Buddhist temple with seven intriguing wonders

Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture

Shokoji Temple dates back to when Takaoka was the capital of Etchu Province—present-day Toyama Prefecture. Originally founded by Pure Land Buddhist monk Rennyo in 1471, it was moved to its current location in 1584, where it was guaranteed land and given protection by Toshinaga Maeda, the powerful lord who built Takaoka Castle.
 
It is a fine surviving example of a Zenshu Buddhist temple, meaning that its building style is derived from Chinese Song Dynasty architecture. Its twelve buildings, including the main hall, audience hall, and study hall, are all Important Cultural Properties. Extensive renovation work to restore the temple complex’s 12 buildings began in 1998 and was finally completed in 2021 after 23 years. In 2022, Shokokuji Temple was designated a national treasure. Be among the first to see this painstakingly restored, precious example of traditional Japanese temple architecture.
 
When you visit, be sure to seek out all seven wonders of Shokoji Temple:
• The fruitless ginkgo tree
• The stone that fell from the sky
• The pond that never dries
• The monkey that holds up the roof
• The pillar that wards off evil spirits
• The flying dragon inkstone
• The three-leafed pine

How to get there

Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Takaoka Station (3 hours), then travel from Shin-Takaoka Station to Takaoka Station by train (5 minutes). From Takaoka Station, board the bus at Kaetsuno bus stop #2 and ride to the Fushiki-ekimae bus stop (40 minutes). The temple is a 5-minute walk away.

17-1 Fushiki-Furukokufu, Takaoka-shi, Toyama-ken

Links

Takaoka

More Information

Hokuriku Shinetsu Region | JNTO Official Website

Toyama Prefecture | JNTO Official Website