Guida
Jiun-ji is a temple of the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai sect, located in Shioyama Nakahagihara, Koshu City, Yamanashi Prefecture. Known as Tenryuzan, the temple's main deity is the Seikan Kannon Bosatsu, and it serves as the 10th station of the Kai Hyakuhachiri pilgrimage. The most striking feature of this temple is the massive Itozakura (weeping cherry tree), which is a designated natural monument of Yamanashi Prefecture. With an estimated age of approximately 320 years, its sprawling branches create a magnificent canopy that covers the main hall, drawing visitors from near and far.
The origins of the temple date back to the Nanboku-cho period (1338–1342), founded by the monk Muso Soseki, a figure who also practiced at Heien-ji in Kai. During the late Edo period, the temple played a vital role in local education through a private school established by the priest Hakui Wa. The area is also deeply connected to the history of the renowned female writer Ichiyo Higuchi; her father, Noriyoshi, studied at this very school. A literary monument was later erected within the temple grounds to honor her memory and legacy.
The centerpiece of Jiun-ji is the Itozakura. This massive tree features a trunk diameter of 3.2 meters and reaches a height of 15 meters, with branches spreading 20 meters east and 18 meters south. As a variety of the Edohigan cherry, its branches are so long they nearly touch the ground. Visitors can also appreciate the Ichiyo Higuchi Literary Monument, which features the names of figures related to her works and other great Japanese modern writers, offering a profound sense of cultural depth.
The best time to visit is early April during the blooming season. During this period, the sight of the massive weeping cherry blossoms draping over the main hall is truly spectacular. This season also coincides with the blooming of peach orchards in the surrounding area, creating a beautiful, colorful landscape across the region.
Visitors can stroll through the temple grounds to admire historical architecture and precious cultural assets, such as the silk paintings of the Sixteen Guardian Deities and the portrait of the Chinese deity Tenjin. The peaceful environment is perfect for a contemplative walk through history and literature.
The temple is part of a rich historical circuit in Koshu, near other notable sites such as Kumbo-ji, Kanso Yashiki, Kokugaku-ji, and the natural beauty of the Takamine bamboo groves.
For a comfortable visit, we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes. As this is a sacred site with delicate historical monuments, please maintain a respectful and quiet demeanor.