Overview
Nichijo-ji is a temple of the Nichiren school located in Aioi-cho, Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. Its mountain name is Kisshozan. Set within the former castle town of Yonezawa, its quiet precinct offers a place of prayer where visitors can encounter the Nichiren tradition, an old temple that has walked alongside the region's history.
Highlights
- ●The distinctive worship of the muddy-footed Bishamonten
- ●A Nichiren-school temple bearing the mountain name Kisshozan
- ●Lineage tracing to the former head temple Myohokke-ji
- ●A historic precinct with the grave of Chisaka Tarozaemon
History
As a Nichiren-school temple, Nichijo-ji traces its lineage to the former head temple Gyokutaku Myohokke-ji. Within the grounds is enshrined the Doroashi Bishamonten (the 「muddy-footed」 Bishamonten), an object of devotion known for its distinctive legend. The precinct also holds the grave of Chisaka Tarozaemon, who served as a Meiji-era prefectural governor of Ishikawa and Okayama, linking the site to modern regional administration.
Access
The temple stands in the urban area of Aioi-cho, Yonezawa City. Yonezawa is the central city of the Okitama region in southern Yamagata and is well served by rail and bus. Please confirm detailed directions, visiting hours, and parking through official sources before your visit.
Best season
Each season has its own charm, but in the snowy Okitama region spring through autumn are the easiest times to walk and worship. The snow-clad precinct in winter also holds a serene beauty. Check the temple's official information for the dates of events and services.
Map
37.9072, 140.1167 · Wikidata
Suggested itinerary
- 1Head from central Yonezawa to Nichijo-ji in Aioi-cho
- 2Worship at the main hall and sense the Nichiren tradition
- 3Visit the Doroashi Bishamonten and Chisaka's grave
- 4Combine it with a stroll through the Uesugi castle town of Yonezawa
Did you know?
💡 Apart from the main image, the unusually named 「Doroashi (muddy-footed) Bishamonten」 is a distinctive draw of this temple, reflecting how devotion to Bishamonten, guardian deity of warriors, took root in the region.
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