Despite being a 'quiet spot sandwiched between famous landmarks,' it has 'visitors flocking to see the busy head priest.' I was surprised to find such a 'beautiful temple' in Fujisawa City! 'Jokoji Temple'

2025/04/17 Article published on Yahoo! News

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One weekend morning, while I was slowly and casually visiting the temple, I was invited by the head priest to have a conversation in the main hall. That was the beginning of my request to interview him, saying, 'Actually, I do this kind of work...' I was captivated by the temple's atmosphere, the clear air, and the warm personality of the head priest, and before I knew it, I had visited many times.
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【Priceless Fujisawa】
~ Rediscovering the charm of Fujisawa ~

A series on priceless information found within Fujisawa City. The 115th location is 'Jokoji Temple (official name: Hachiozan Sesshu-in Jokoji)' located in Honcho, Fujisawa City.

Surrounded by two famous temples, 'Shirahata Shrine' to the west and 'Yugyoji Temple' to the east, 'Jokoji Temple' is a Jodo sect temple located almost in the center of the Fujisawa-shuku post station.

Its mountain name is Hachiozan. It was founded in the 3rd year of Genki (1572) by Myorensha Koyo Sain Shonin and has deep ties as a branch temple of 'Komyoji Temple (Kamakura City).'

Within the grounds, where fallen leaves are neatly swept away, there are scattered items such as a Koshin memorial tower designated as a city cultural property, six Jizo statues, a monument to the poet Yone Noguchi, a statue of Fukurokuju (one of the Fujisawa-shuku Seven Lucky Gods at 'Jokoji Temple'), and the graves of old Fujisawa-shuku families.

All the trees on the temple grounds are designated as natural monuments of Fujisawa City, and among them, the large Torreya tree, which is 300 to 400 years old, has been selected as one of the '100 Famous Trees of Kanagawa.'

The main hall is here.

And when you look back at the approach from the main hall and gaze at the mountain gate, this kind of scene unfolds.

The grounds are extremely well-maintained, with not a speck of dust to be found, and the lush green trees and seasonal flowers are in beautiful harmony. Every time I visit, I feel as if my heart is being cleansed.

This time, I spoke with Mr. Katsuyoshi Yoshida, the head priest of 'Jokoji Temple.'

Although it is not a tourist temple and there is not much information about it on the internet, 'Jokoji Temple' preserves many valuable items deeply related to the history of Fujisawa City, including the city-designated cultural properties mentioned earlier.

Head Priest Yoshida, who took over 'Jokoji Temple' about 20 years ago, initially faced a situation where the grounds and cultural properties were not well maintained. He reflects that while performing daily Buddhist rituals, he has devoted his efforts to the repair and maintenance of these historic items.

Among them, the principal image enshrined in the main hall, the 'Wooden Standing Statue of Amitabha Tathagata (estimated to have been made in the Northern and Southern Courts period),' was designated as a Fujisawa City Cultural Property (Sculpture) in 1998.

The bodhisattva statues on both sides are thought to have been added in the early Edo period, representing the "three holy figures coming to welcome those who wish to be reborn in the Pure Land."

In addition, the "Wooden Standing Statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (estimated to be from the Northern and Southern Courts period)" was designated as a city-designated cultural property (sculpture) in 2016.

In addition to this, the temple also preserves a "Wooden Lotus Pedestal" designated as a city-designated important cultural property (historical material) in 2021, as well as Buddhist statues thought to be from the Muromachi period.

Japanese paintings such as the priest's "Takubatsu-gasa (begging hat)," "Birth of Buddha Illustration," "Shakyamuni Buddha Image (Genroku 13 / 1700)," and "One Light Three Saints Amitabha Buddha Image (Genroku 16 / 1703)," which were found during the renovation of the main hall, have also been restored by Chief Priest Yoshida and are temple treasures that have been carefully preserved.

"Shakyamuni Buddha Image" Commentary (excerpt)
The Shakyamuni Buddha statue enshrined at Seiryo-ji Temple in Sagano, Kyoto, was frequently exhibited outside the temple (kaicho) during the Edo period. According to records, it was exhibited 10 times in total at places like Gokoku-ji Temple and Eko-in Temple in Edo, including in the 13th year of Genroku, the 18th year of Kyoho, the 7th year of Meiwa, the 5th year of Tenmei, the 13th year of Kansei (1st year of Kyowa), the 7th year of Bunka, the 2nd year of Bunsei, the 7th year of Tenpo, the 5th year of Koka (1st year of Kaei), and the 7th year of Ansei (1st year of Man'en). There are records of two such exhibitions at Joko-ji Temple: the first in the 13th year of Genroku, and the second from December 5th to 6th in the 7th year of Tenpo, as noted in the Hirano family document "Town Hand-memo Book" (according to Chief Priest Yoshida).

"One Light Three Saints Amitabha Buddha Image" Commentary (excerpt)
The following is recorded in the "Genroku/Hoei Zenko-ji Temple Exhibition Countrywide Solicitation Record" and the "Enjo-in Temple Koken Notes Excerpt."
"February 20, 16th year of Genroku: Arrived at Jodo-shu Joko-ji Temple in Fujisawa. Exhibition until the 24th. Departure on the 25th."
Zenko-ji Temple in Shinshu is jointly managed by two sects: the Tendai sect's Daikanjin and the Jodo sect's Daihongan (according to Chief Priest Yoshida).

In addition to some of the works introduced, Joko-ji Temple also houses historical items discovered at the "site of the Amida Hall". These temple treasures are basically only displayed during memorial services and certain events. On the day of the interview, the Buddhist event "Hana Matsuri" (Flower Festival) was being held, so I was specially allowed to see inside the main hall.

Chief Priest Yoshida works diligently every day, from greening the temple grounds to installing benches on the premises and carefully recording and repairing each temple treasure. However, he says with a hint of loneliness, "Most people visit the famous shrines and temples to the east and west, so only the parishioners come to worship."

However...

Visitors arrive one after another even without advertising. Contrary to his words that suggest loneliness, he looks very busy as he hands out sweet tea for the "Hana Matsuri" and gives out the flowers he had prepared as gifts (laughs). It is rare to find a temple that welcomes visitors so warmly, and perhaps that warmth is what draws the local people in.

The conversation with Chief Priest Yoshida, who is also well-versed in local history, was so engaging that even after two hours, I felt like I didn't have enough time. Part of it was that the atmosphere of this place was special.

In early April, the cherry blossoms in front of the gate and the weeping cherry trees in the temple grounds bloom beautifully at Joko-ji Temple, but Chief Priest Yoshida says, "Summer is the best time." He says the lush green of the Japanese nutmeg trees brings a refreshing air to the temple grounds.

On the way from Fujisawa-Hommachi Station to the temple (a 7-8 minute walk), there are unique shops such as "Café Rin", "JACOMO'S a Bakery", and "Kanmi/Kissa Danke". Why not visit for worship during the fresh green season? They also issue goshuin (temple seals).

Basic Information
Joko-ji Temple
Address: 4-5-21 Honcho, Fujisawa City
Phone: 0466-22-2266
Parking: Available

Interview, photography, and proofreading cooperation: Mr. Yoshida, Head Priest of Jokoji Temple