Kichijō-ji Temple

Overview

Kichijō-ji is a temple of the Kenchō-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, located in Kawaba, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture. Its mountain name is Seiryūzan, and its principal image is Shakyamuni Buddha. It is known as the 11th temple in Gunma of the Hundred Flower Temples of Eastern Japan.

Highlights

• ●A temple of the Kenchō-ji branch of the Rinzai Zen school, with the mountain name Seiryūzan
• ●Shakyamuni Buddha enshrined as the principal image
• ●The 11th Gunma temple among the Hundred Flower Temples of Eastern Japan
• ●The Harukoma festival, offered at the Kinkō Inari hall within the grounds

History

The temple belongs to the Kenchō-ji branch of the Rinzai school, with the mountain name Seiryūzan and Shakyamuni Buddha as its principal image. It is counted as the 11th Gunma temple of the Hundred Flower Temples of Eastern Japan. On February 11, young men of the district dress in women's attire and go from house to house in the Harukoma festival, designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Gunma Prefecture as "Monzen Harukoma," and offered at the Kinkō Inari hall within the temple grounds.

Map

36.6967, 139.0962 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Visit the Rinzai Kenchō-ji-branch temple with the mountain name Seiryūzan
2. 2Pay respects to the principal image, Shakyamuni Buddha
3. 3Walk among the flowering trees that place it in the Hundred Flower Temples of Eastern Japan
4. 4See the Kinkō Inari hall where the Harukoma festival is offered

Did you know?

💡 The Harukoma festival held on February 11 is designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Gunma Prefecture as "Monzen Harukoma."

Nearby spots