Wakasa Kokubun-ji Temple

Overview

Wakasa Kokubun-ji is a temple of the Sōtō Zen school in the Kokubu district of Obama, Fukui Prefecture, with the mountain name Gokoku-san and Shaka Nyōrai as its principal image. It is the successor to the provincial temple of Wakasa Province, one of the kokubun-ji established across Japan by imperial edict of Emperor Shōmu during the Nara period. The remains of the ancient temple, the Wakasa Kokubun-ji site, survive on the grounds and are designated a National Historic Site.

Highlights

• ●A Sōtō Zen temple with the mountain name Gokoku-san and Shaka Nyōrai as its honzon
• ●Successor to the provincial temple of Wakasa Province founded by edict of Emperor Shōmu
• ●The Wakasa Kokubun-ji site, designated a National Historic Site
• ●A component cultural property of the Japan Heritage centered on Wakasa and the Saba Kaidō

History

During the Nara period, Emperor Shōmu issued an edict to establish provincial temples across the country, and a provincial temple was set up in Wakasa Province. Wakasa Kokubun-ji is regarded as its successor and today carries on as a temple of the Sōtō Zen school. In 2015 it was recognized as a component cultural property of the Japan Heritage themed on Wakasa, the imperial provisioning land, and the Saba Kaidō.

Map

35.4802, 135.7886 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Pay respects to the principal image, Shaka Nyōrai, in the main hall of the present Sōtō temple
2. 2Walk among the remains of the Wakasa Kokubun-ji site, a National Historic Site
3. 3Reflect on the history of the provincial temples and the origins of Wakasa Province
4. 4Explore the surrounding town and the area linked to its road-culture heritage

Did you know?

💡 It is recognized as a component cultural property of the Japan Heritage themed on Wakasa, the imperial provisioning land, and the Saba Kaidō.

Nearby spots