Chōshō-ji, Buddhist temple in Hirosaki, Japan
Chōshō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Hirosaki with a 16-meter high main gate, a principal hall, a temple kitchen, and five subsidiary buildings associated with clan leadership. The layout reflects the typical structure of major temples from that period.
The temple was founded in 1528 in Ajigasawa before being relocated to its current site near Hirosaki Castle in 1610. The move coincided with the completion of the castle fortress.
This temple served as the spiritual center for the Tsugaru clan, and you can see a wooden statue of the first domain lord in the Mieido Hall. The connection between the ruling family and this place remains visible today.
This temple is located about 1.3 kilometers southwest of Hirosaki Castle and is accessible by bus from JR Hirosaki Station. The nearest stop is at Shigemori-machi, which serves visitors heading to the area.
The temple grounds are surrounded by defensive earthen mounds and moats that demonstrate how religion and military strategy were linked in feudal times. This combination of features is rarely found in other temples of the region.
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