長興寺

Overview

Chokoji is a temple of the Myoshin-ji branch of the Rinzai Zen school, located in the Matsuoka district of Oita City, Oita Prefecture. Its mountain name is Shokozan, and as a Zen temple it stands quietly in the community, transmitting the teachings of Zen. Set in the calm Matsuoka area on the eastern edge of Oita City, it offers the simple, well-ordered atmosphere typical of a Zen temple.

Highlights

• ●A Zen temple of the Myoshin-ji branch of Rinzai
• ●The mountain name Shokozan, drawn from the local place name
• ●Set in the calm suburb of Matsuoka in Oita City
• ●The simple, well-ordered grounds of a Zen temple

History

The temple belongs to the Myoshin-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen, and bears the mountain name Shokozan. The Myoshin-ji branch is known as the largest school of Zen in Japan, and Chokoji has preserved its dharma lineage as one of its subordinate temples. For details of its founding and principal image, it is best to check on-site notices or Oita City's official information.

Map

33.1838, 131.6626 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Head east from central Oita to the Matsuoka district
2. 2Visit Chokoji and take in the quiet of a Zen temple
3. 3Check the on-site notices for its mountain name and school
4. 4Combine the visit with other sights in Oita City

Did you know?

💡 The Myoshin-ji branch of Rinzai Zen has its head temple at Myoshin-ji in Kyoto and counts a great many subordinate temples nationwide. The mountain name Shokozan derives from the temple's location in Matsuoka, showing how the temple's name and its place are intertwined in a locally rooted Zen temple.

Nearby spots