Kōjaku-in, Buddhist temple in Showa-ku, Japan
Kōjaku-in is a Buddhist temple located in a residential area of Showa-ku, featuring traditional Japanese buildings with pagodas and ceremony halls set among landscaped gardens. The grounds encompass multiple structures of varying purposes arranged around green spaces, creating a cohesive and balanced layout.
The temple was founded during the Edo period and became a center for producing Kawana ware, a local pottery tradition. This connection between religious life and craft production shaped the site's regional importance over many generations.
The temple hosts regular ceremonies and prayer gatherings where visitors can observe daily religious practice in action. The spaces reveal how Buddhist traditions remain woven into the life of this community.
The temple is accessible by subway and sits in a welcoming residential neighborhood. The grounds are open to visitors during daylight hours and allow for both peaceful exploration and observation of ritual activities.
Two original trees on the grounds were planted by the 11th priest, who started a reforestation project that transformed the landscape. These ancient trees stand as witnesses to a transformation that shaped the character of the entire site over centuries.
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