Sagami Kokubun-ji

Sagami Kokubun-ji is a Buddhist temple site in Kokubu-Minami featuring ancient architectural remains. Excavations revealed foundations of a bell tower, main worship hall, and guest quarters that are preserved within the park area.

Emperor Shōmu commissioned the temple in 741 as part of a nationwide program to create a Buddhist institution in each province. Fires and subsequent rebuilding over the centuries left marks of different construction periods in the surviving structures.

The temple site served both spiritual and practical purposes for monastic communities over centuries. Walking through the grounds today shows how religious and everyday functions were organized within a single sacred space.

The site is arranged as an archaeological park where structural foundations from excavations between 1986 and 2006 are visible to visitors. Since this is an open-air location, sturdy footwear and weather protection are practical considerations for a visit.

The temple bell from the Kamakura period is registered as an Important Cultural Property, showcasing skilled medieval Japanese bronze casting. This artifact remains one of the finest examples of metalwork craftsmanship from that era.

Location: Kokubu-Minami

Inception: 8 century

Website: http://s-kokubunji.or.jp

GPS coordinates: 35.45267,139.39914

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:56