Ryūfuku-ji, Buddhist temple with five-storied pagoda in Yamaguchi, Japan
Ryūfuku-ji is a temple north of Yamaguchi built around a five-storied pagoda from 1442, which predates the temple's actual founding. The grounds feature this nationally treasured pagoda alongside a main hall, museum building, and other traditional structures.
The five-storied pagoda dates to 1442, while the temple itself was founded in the late 1400s, making the pagoda an earlier treasure brought into the complex. The site later flourished under the Mori family's influence, who played a defining role in the region's development.
The temple became closely connected to the Mori family, who were buried here and shaped the region's identity for generations. Today, visitors can see these burial sites scattered across the grounds and understand why this place mattered so deeply to the local ruling family.
The temple is about 2.5 kilometers north of Yamaguchi Station and is best reached by bus to the Kenchomae stop, followed by a short walk. The grounds are easy to explore on foot once you arrive at the site.
A stone pavement near the burial sites produces sounds like a Japanese Bush Warbler when stepped upon, creating an unexpected auditory experience. This acoustic effect results from the unique construction of the stones and adds a memorable sensory element to a visit.
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