大宝寺

Overview

Daiho-ji is a temple of the Rinzai school, Myoshin-ji branch, located in Daiho-cho, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture. Remarkably, the name of the town itself, Daiho-cho, is said to derive from the presence of this temple, making it a rare case where temple and place name are one and the same. Set in the streets of Gifu, a former castle town cradled by Mount Kinka and the Nagara River, it is cherished as a Zen temple quietly rooted in local history.

Highlights

• ●The quiet presence of a Zen temple in the Rinzai Myoshin-ji lineage
• ●The deep bond between temple and land, being the origin of the place name Daiho-cho
• ●A central location in the castle town of Gifu, near Mount Kinka, Gifu Castle, and the Nagara River
• ●A community Zen temple that carries a part of Gifu's religious history

History

Daiho-ji is a Zen temple of the Rinzai school's Myoshin-ji branch, and its name is said to be the origin of the surrounding place name Daiho-cho. The fact that a district took its name from the temple speaks to the firm presence this temple has held in the local community since long ago. The Myoshin-ji branch is a major stream of Japanese Rinzai Zen, and as a temple of that lineage, Daiho-ji has borne a part of Gifu's religious history. For details of its founding date and origins, please consult official information from Gifu City or the temple.

Map

35.4146, 136.7526 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Head from central Gifu to Daiho-ji and pay a quiet visit at this Rinzai Myoshin-ji Zen temple
2. 2Reflect on the link between the temple and the place name it inspired
3. 3Extend the trip by taking the Mount Kinka ropeway up to Gifu Castle for a view over the town
4. 4Walk along the Nagara River and close the day with the cormorant fishing and river scenery of Gifu

Did you know?

💡 A town taking its name from a temple is unusual even nationwide, and Daiho-ji and Daiho-cho are truly inseparable. Knowing the origin of the place name before visiting makes wandering the streets far more interesting.

Nearby spots