Myōshō-ji

Myōshō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Shimizu with a main hall housing important Buddhist statues and featuring a carved dragon beneath its eaves. The temple shares its grounds closely with two neighboring temples, Joshun-ji and Myosen-ji, separated only by low walls that allow the three structures to form a connected religious area.

The temple was founded in 1352 on what is believed to be the location of Nichiren's original hermitage, making it an early center of this Buddhist tradition. This connection to the sect's founder attracted the attention and support of Japan's imperial family.

The temple follows Nichiren Buddhist teachings, and visitors can see how these practices shape the daily life of the place. The carved decorations and ritual spaces reflect beliefs that have remained active here for centuries.

The temple is just minutes on foot from Shimizu station, making it easy to reach in a short walk. It sits within a complex of connected structures, so visitors moving through the area will encounter multiple temples sharing the same grounds.

Every August, the temple holds the Yakuyoke Shōga ceremony, which commemorates a story about Nichiren seeking shelter in the forest during a difficult time. According to the tale, a white monkey provided help to the founder, and this event remains honored through the annual ritual.