Jōkō-ji Temple

Overview

Jōkō-ji Temple stands in the town of Obuse in Nagano's Kamitakai district, a place famed for chestnuts and its ties to the artist Katsushika Hokusai. Belonging to the Buzan school of Shingon Buddhism, it is also known as Tsumagoi Yakushi and has long drawn devotion to the Healing Buddha, Yakushi Nyorai. Its verdant, tranquil grounds hold a structure designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, along with a haiku monument to the poet Kobayashi Issa, making it a historic temple well worth pairing with a stroll through Obuse.

Highlights

• ●A precious building designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan
• ●Devotion to the Healing Buddha known as Tsumagoi Yakushi
• ●A poetic atmosphere conveyed by the Kobayashi Issa haiku monument
• ●Verdant, quiet and composed temple grounds

History

Affectionately called Tsumagoi Yakushi, Jōkō-ji belongs to the Buzan school of Shingon Buddhism and has long supported local faith with the Healing Buddha as its principal image. Within its grounds stands a precious building designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan, its form speaking to the craftsmanship and devotion of earlier ages. A haiku monument to the Obuse-connected poet Kobayashi Issa also remains, recalling the men of letters who once visited this ground.

Map

36.6942, 138.3336 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Walk from Obuse Station to Jōkō-ji and savor the calm of the approach
2. 2Take time to view the Important Cultural Property and Issa's haiku monument
3. 3Visit the Hokusai-kan museum to touch the art and culture linked to Obuse
4. 4Enjoy the town's specialty chestnut sweets such as Mont Blanc or chestnut rice

Did you know?

💡 Jōkō-ji is fondly known by the alternate name Tsumagoi Yakushi, and a haiku monument to the poet Kobayashi Issa stands within its grounds. Home to an Important Cultural Property, it is a temple essential to understanding the history of Obuse.

Nearby spots