Honkō-ji Temple

Overview

Honko-ji is a temple of the Nichiren school located in Yakushi-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. Bearing the mountain name Ichijo-zan, it is counted among the old and venerable Nichiren temples of the Hokuriku region. Set a little away from the city center, it preserves a quiet, prayerful atmosphere distinct from the busier temple districts.

Highlights

• ●Standing as an old Hokuriku Nichiren temple under the mountain name Ichijo-zan
• ●City-designated wooden seated statue of Nichiren with interior reliquary pagoda
• ●Heritage of the Choshi lineage with Ryuhon-ji of Kyoto as its former head temple
• ●A quiet space of prayer amid the residential quarter of Yakushi-machi

History

Its former head temple was Ryuhon-ji in Kyoto, and it belongs to the Choshi lineage of the Nichiren tradition. Long a pillar of Nichiren faith in Hokuriku, it enshrines a seated wooden statue of the priest Nichiren with an interior reliquary pagoda, designated a cultural property by the City of Kanazawa. The form of enshrining a relic pagoda within the statue speaks to deep devotion toward the founder.

Map

36.6005, 136.7170 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Pass through the gate into the serene grounds of Ichijo-zan Honko-ji
2. 2Offer prayers at the main hall and reflect on the history of Nichiren faith
3. 3Note the temple's dignity as home to a city-designated seated statue
4. 4Stroll the calm streets around Yakushi-machi to savor the lingering mood

Did you know?

💡 While the main hall interior may not always be open to the public, the temple's ownership of a city-designated seated statue of Nichiren attests to its standing. Statues enshrining an interior relic pagoda are rare nationwide and reflect the depth of devotion to the founder.

Nearby spots