Kin'eizan Myojoji Temple

Overview

Kin'eizan Myojoji Temple is a Nichiren Buddhist temple, the largest of its kind in the Hokuriku region. Founded in 1294, it has long been a center of faith as the Hokuriku head temple of the Nichiren sect. Under the protection of the Maeda clan of Kaga, and serving as the family temple of Juhokuin, a concubine of Maeda Toshiie, it developed into a complex of seven halls and pagodas, many of which remain as important cultural properties today. Particularly famous is its five-story wooden pagoda, the only one of its kind in the Hokuriku region. Standing 34.27 meters tall, this pagoda, built in the early Edo period, is constructed with exceptional strength to withstand the harsh waves of the Sea of Japan. Inside the pagoda, a pair of statues, Ichito Ryozonzo, are enshrined on the Shumi-dan (altar). The main hall exhibits the magnificent architecture of the Momoyama period, adorned with ornate decorations. It follows a five-bay by five-bay gabled roof style with kokera-buki (thin wood shingle) roofing, built by Sakagami Matasaburo, a carpenter employed by the Maeda clan. Inside the main hall, a statue of Nichiren and the memorial tablet of Juhokuin are enshrined. The shoin garden on the temple grounds is a beautiful garden that uses the five-story pagoda as a backdrop. Various flowers bloom throughout the year, offering a tranquil space for quiet contemplation. Kin'eizan Myojoji Temple is a precious temple where you can experience history and culture. Be sure to visit!