Overview
Shintoku-ji is a temple of the Jishu (Ji-shu) school of Pure Land Buddhism, tucked away in the Nishitomi district of Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture. It belongs to the network of temples connected to Shojoko-ji (Yugyo-ji), the head temple of the Jishu school. Set on a rise within Fujisawa's old temple quarter, it offers a quiet counterpoint to the bustle of the nearby city center, where visitors can absorb the atmosphere of a historic religious district.
Highlights
- ●A temple linked to Shojoko-ji (Yugyo-ji), head of the Jishu school
- ●A quiet setting within Fujisawa's historic temple quarter
- ●A relatively young place of prayer founded in 1944
- ●Hillside temple-town walking within reach of the city center
History
Founded in 1944, Shintoku-ji is a relatively young temple that began as part of the community surrounding Shojoko-ji (Yugyo-ji), the head temple of the Jishu school. The Jishu tradition, established by the monk Ippen, has long centered on Fujisawa, which flourished as its spiritual hub. Shintoku-ji carries on this heritage of nenbutsu devotion, serving as a place of prayer for local people through the wartime and postwar years. For details on its founding and principal image, please refer to official sources.
Access
The temple sits on high ground in Nishitomi, Fujisawa, at roughly 35.35 north latitude and 139.49 east longitude. From Fujisawa Station, a hub for JR, Odakyu, and the Enoden lines, head northeast toward the temple district around Shojoko-ji (Yugyo-ji). The area has slopes and narrow lanes, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Check official sources for exact routes and whether visits are permitted.
Best season
You can visit quietly year-round, but pairing a stop here with a stroll through the Yugyo-ji temple quarter is loveliest in autumn, when the trees turn color, or on a clear winter day when the air is crisp. In summer the slopes can be warm going, so bring water.
Map
35.3473, 139.4879 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Walk northeast from Fujisawa Station into the temple quarter near Yugyo-ji
- 2Visit Shojoko-ji (Yugyo-ji) to feel the dignity of the Jishu head temple
- 3Follow the lanes before the gate to pray quietly at Shintoku-ji
- 4Wander the nearby slopes and old streets on the way back to the station
Did you know?
💡 Shojoko-ji (Yugyo-ji), the temple to which Shintoku-ji is connected, is renowned nationwide as the head temple of the Jishu school. Tracing how Fujisawa grew as the temple town before its gates reveals how small temples like Shintoku-ji quietly sustained the faith of the town.
Nearby spots
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