Kudoji

Kudoji is a Buddhist temple in the southern part of Hirosaki featuring traditional Shingon architecture and sacred worship spaces. The structure sits on Mount Kudoji grounds and provides visitors access to meditation halls and prayer areas.

The temple was founded around 800 CE by Buddhist monk Ennin and relocated to its current location in 1191. Its present form took shape after reconstruction in 1619, undertaken for the feudal Hirosaki Domain.

The temple hosts annual festivals where visitors can observe traditional rituals tied to local agricultural practices and community beliefs. Religious practices here remain woven into how residents mark important seasons and celebrate their connection to the land.

Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since paths on the mountain terrain are uneven and become slippery during rainy seasons. The best time to visit is during drier months when access is easier and walking routes are more manageable.

The temple houses a rare painting by artist Maruyama Okyo from 1784 that depicts the first legless ghost in Japanese art history. This artwork remains a curiosity for those interested in traditional Japanese painting and its unconventional subjects.

Location: Hirosaki

Address: 青森県弘前市坂元山元1

GPS coordinates: 40.53972,140.42917

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:42