Kaichō-ji

Kaichō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Shimizu-ku with traditional wooden structures, pagodas, and multiple buildings arranged around inner courtyards and gardens. The layout displays classic Buddhist architectural design with carefully composed outdoor areas between the structures.

The temple follows design principles from the 16th century when shoguns actively promoted large-scale Buddhist temple projects. Those architectural standards continue to shape how the site appears today.

The temple serves as a working place of prayer where visitors encounter monks in their daily routines and observe how people move with respect through the spaces. This living spiritual practice shapes how the grounds are experienced rather than simply viewed.

Visitors should dress respectfully and move slowly through the grounds to honor the contemplative setting. It helps to allow time for gradual exploration, since the space invites lingering and observation.

The name Kaichō-ji refers to an old temple practice where normally hidden religious treasures were displayed for limited periods. This practice became so popular and profitable during the Edo period that it gave the temple its distinctive name.