Overview
Hokoji is a temple of the Nichiren school of Buddhism in the Teramachi 5-chome district of Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Its mountain name is Honshozan, and its former head temple was the great head temple Honkokuji in Kyoto (Rokujo Monryu lineage), to which it is connected through the Tsushi hoen. The Teramachi plateau south of the Saigawa River is one of Kanazawas most famous temple districts, where many temples gathered from the feudal era. Hokoji stands quietly within it, not a grand tourist temple but a genuine place of Nichiren faith to visit while strolling the calm temple town.
Highlights
- ●A Nichiren-school temple with the mountain name Honshozan
- ●A dharma tie whose former head temple was Honkokuji in Kyoto (Rokujo Monryu)
- ●The calm townscape of Kanazawas Teramachi plateau, a temple district since feudal times
- ●A historic temple-gate setting south of the Saigawa River, ideal for a stroll
History
Hokoji is a Nichiren temple whose mountain name is Honshozan. Its former head temple was Honkokuji in Kyoto, a great head temple of the Rokujo Monryu lineage, and its membership in the Tsushi hoen shows it was maintained within the network centered on that Kyoto head temple. Kanazawas Teramachi was formed when the Kaga domain gathered temples together under its policies of castle-town defense and religious administration, and Hokoji has kept its dharma flame alive within this history. For details on its founding and treasures, it is best to consult on-site or official information.
Access
The temple is in Teramachi 5-chome, Kanazawa City, at roughly 36.55 degrees north and 136.65 degrees east. From Kanazawa Station it is convenient to take a bus toward the Hirokoji or Teramachi area, in the district reached by crossing the Saigawa Ohashi bridge and climbing onto the Teramachi plateau. The surroundings are a calm residential and temple area dense with temples, well suited to exploring on foot. As this is a quiet residential temple town, check official information in advance regarding visiting and parking.
Best season
To combine a walk along the Saigawa with the Teramachi plateau, the cherry blossoms of spring and the foliage of autumn are especially recommended. Summer offers cool strolls through the shaded temple town, while winter brings the snow-covered charm typical of Kanazawa. Paired with the nearby Nishi Chaya district or Myoryuji (the Ninja Temple), the southern Teramachi area is enjoyable in any season. Check official information for event dates.
Map
36.5529, 136.6527 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1From Kanazawa Station, cross the Saigawa by bus to the Teramachi plateau
- 2Visit Hokoji and take in the quiet halls of the Nichiren temple
- 3Walk the temple district and extend to Myoryuji (the Ninja Temple)
- 4Stroll the Nishi Chaya district and along the Saigawa to savor Kanazawas mood
Did you know?
💡 The Nichiren school to which Hokoji belongs was founded by the Kamakura-period monk Nichiren and takes the Lotus Sutra as its fundamental scripture. Its former head temple, Honkokuji, is known as a great Nichiren head temple in Kyoto and was central to the Rokujo Monryu lineage. The mountain name Honshozan carries on the lineage of Hokojis faith to this day.
Nearby spots
Traveler reviews0
No reviews yet. Be the first to share!