Kōzen-ji, Buddhist temple in Komagane, Japan
Kōzen-ji is a Buddhist temple in Komagome, Japan, with several buildings on a wooded site covering nearly 7 hectares. The complex includes a three-story pagoda, a main hall for the deity Fudo Myo-o, and several smaller shrines set among old trees and rock formations.
A monk founded the temple in 860 and dedicated it to the practice of ascetic mountain meditation. The Takeda family and later the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu supported the site and helped rebuild it after fires and wars.
The temple name means Light Zen Temple and comes from the green glow that monks discovered in the rocks. Visitors today can explore the rock caves where the moss spreads and creates a gentle light in darkness.
The site is about three minutes by car from the Komagane Interchange through a valley. Visitors should observe the rules for smoking and eating on the grounds and wear sturdy shoes for the paths between the buildings.
The moss Hiokigoke glows greenish in rock crevices and gave the temple its name. The phenomenon shows best between May and October when humidity is high enough and the moss thrives in the dark caves.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
