Manpuku-ji, Buddhist temple in Koshigoe, Japan.
Manpuku-ji is a Buddhist temple in Koshigoe featuring traditional architecture, a garden with stone elements, and a layout that takes advantage of the sloped terrain. The grounds include both main worship areas and quieter sections among trees and moss-covered paths.
The temple was founded in 744 and gained importance when samurai leader Minamoto no Yoshitsune wrote a famous letter here in 1185. This event tied the location to a pivotal moment in Japan's military history.
The temple hosts annual ceremonies including the Yoshitsune Festival in April, Buddhist sutra copying sessions, and memorial services throughout the year.
The temple is a short walk from Koshigoe Station and easy to reach on foot. Access works well even on the sloped ground, though sturdy shoes help when navigating the paths.
The temple features a monorail system that connects to a nearby cemetery, offering visitors easy access to gravesites on the sloped ground. This combination of temple and burial grounds in one location is rarely seen in this configuration.
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