Godaisan Chikurinji Temple

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Godaisan Chikurinji Temple

So many highlights, including the main hall, a national important cultural property.

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This historical temple was founded in 724 by the monk Gyoki at the behest of Emperor Shomu, in reference to the Tang Dynasty's Mt. Wutai. Because Kobo Daishi practiced asceticism on this mountain during the Daido period (806-809), the temple was later designated as the 31st temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

The main hall, also known as Monjudo because it enshrines Monju Bosatsu (Manjusri), was built in 1644 by Tadayoshi Yamauchi, the second lord of Tosa. It is designated as a national important cultural property.

This beautiful garden is said to have been designed by Muso Kokushi, a high Zen priest, while visiting Tosa in the late Kamakura period (1192-1333). This garden, built along the mountainside surrounding the Shoin, is divided into two sections: the north garden, which is bright and has a tropical atmosphere, and the west garden, which is quiet and serene and is said to be modeled after Mt. Lu and Lake Poyang in China.

Other highlights include the five-story pagoda, which was built in 1980 as a reconstruction of a three-story pagoda destroyed by a typhoon, and is 31 meters high, made entirely of hinoki cypress, and designed in the style of the early Kamakura period.

Highlights

  • This is a historical temple founded by Gyoki.
  • It is the 31st temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.
  • The main hall, built by Tadayoshi Yamauchi, the second lord of Tosa, is a national important cultural property.
  • The beautiful garden is said to have been designed by Muso Kukoshi.

Photos

  • The main hall enshrines the main deity, Monju Bosatsu.
Photo by Public foundation of Kochi Visitors & Convention Association

    The main hall enshrines the main deity, Monju Bosatsu. Photo by Public foundation of Kochi Visitors & Convention Association

  • The five-story pagoda is 31 meters high, made entirely of hinoki cypress, and designed in the style of the early Kamakura period.
Photo by Public foundation of Kochi Visitors & Convention Association

    The five-story pagoda is 31 meters high, made entirely of hinoki cypress, and designed in the style of the early Kamakura period. Photo by Public foundation of Kochi Visitors & Convention Association

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Details

Name in Japanese
五台山 竹林寺
Postal Code
781-8125
Address
3577 Godaisan, Kochi City, Kochi
Telephone
088-882-3085
Holiday
Open every day
Hours
8:00am-5:00pm
Admission
Adults 400 yen, High school students 200 yen, Middle school students 150 yen, Elementary school students 100 yen
Directions
From JR Kochi Station, ride the MY-Yu Bus for about 29 minutes and get off at “Chikurin-ji mae” bus stop.
Credit Cards
Not accepted
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)