浄発願寺, Buddhist temple in Isehara, Japan.
Johatsu Ganjuji is a Buddhist temple in Isehara featuring multiple prayer halls arranged along the Hinata River and a large copper statue of Jizo Bosatsu cast in 1755. The complex holds various religious structures that continue to draw worshippers to the site.
The temple was founded in 1608 by Buddhist monk Dansai and received substantial land grants from Tokugawa Ieyasu that established its territorial presence. This early support from an influential leader secured the site's importance in regional history.
During the Edo period, this temple served as a refuge where people could seek protection from persecution, with the exception of those accused of murder or arson. This sanctuary tradition still shapes how visitors understand the spiritual purpose of the place today.
Access the site by taking a bus from Isehara Station North Exit to the Hinata Yakushi stop, then walking a short distance to reach the grounds. Plan your visit for clear days to fully explore the temple complex and its surrounding areas.
The original temple grounds were destroyed by a typhoon in 1938, but the ruins are now preserved as an inner sanctuary with meditation caves. This damaged site allows visitors to understand the history of the natural disaster that reshaped the location.
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