極楽寺, Buddhist temple in Hachioji, Japan.

Gokurakuji is a Buddhist temple nestled at the base of green hills with traditional structures featuring curved roofs and wooden frames. Gardens surround the compound, creating spaces that support both religious practice and daily operations.

Gokurakuji was founded in 1504 by Oishi Sadashige, lord of Takiyama Castle, below that castle. It moved when Hojo Ujiteru built Hachioji Castle, and again to its present site after Hachioji Castle fell. Its cemetery holds the graves of Osada Sakusaemon, who helped organize Hachioji's settlements in the early Edo period, and of Shiono Tekisai, compiler of the Kuto Nikki and head of the Hachioji Sennin-doshin.

The temple serves as a living place for daily worship and community gatherings. Visitors can sit in meditation spaces and observe ceremonies that follow age-old Japanese Buddhist practices.

Gokurakuji is at 7-1 Oyokocho, Hachioji, not within walking distance of JR Hachioji Station. Take a bus from the north exit of Keio Hachioji or JR Hachioji Station — the Tofu/Summerland, Tofu/Kyorin University or Mitsuida lines — and get off at Science Dome, about two minutes on foot from the stop.

In the 1945 Hachioji air raid the temple escaped burning and was used as a place to lay out bodies, while the main hall sheltered people made homeless. Its cemetery holds three Tokyo-designated cultural properties: the graves of Osada Sakusabee, who helped organise Hachioji's early Edo settlements, of Shiono Tekisai, compiler of the Kuto Nikki and head of the Hachioji Sennin-doshin, and of Tamadayin, niece of Princess Matsuhime.