Sokō-in temple, Buddhist temple in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Sokō-in is a Buddhist temple in Kanegasaku featuring traditional wooden beams and tiled roofs in its structures. The grounds include a main hall, the Daishido hall dedicated to Kobo Daishi, temple gardens, and statues representing protective figures in Japanese faith traditions.
The temple was founded during the late Edo period by settlers from Kawagoe who brought a priest from a nearby family temple to establish the site. It has remained part of the community for over 200 years and once served as a place where local children learned before schools were built.
The temple serves as a gathering place where local families connect with ancestral traditions and celebrate important moments. Visitors can observe traditional statues of Daikokuten and Ebisu, figures believed to bring good fortune, which reflect how this site continues to hold spiritual meaning for the community.
The temple is about an eight-minute walk from Tokiwadaira Station on the Shin-Keisei Line, with free parking available nearby. Access is free and open throughout the day, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace without time constraints.
The temple gains attention for thousands of red spider lilies planted here since around 1993, transforming the grounds into a sea of red blooms each autumn. During peak bloom between mid and late September, the flowers spread like a red carpet across the earth, drawing photographers and nature lovers.
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