Chōkoku-ji, Buddhist temple in Sado, Japan
Chōkoku-ji is a Buddhist temple on Sado Island featuring three Eleven-Headed Kannon statues and guardian figures flanking the entrance to the main hall. The site is organized around a central hall with supporting buildings and paths running through the grounds that connect different structures.
The temple was founded in 807 by the prominent Buddhist monk Kūkai, marking the beginning of Buddhist influence on Sado Island. This early establishment by an influential religious teacher set the foundation for it to become an important center of Buddhist teachings in the region.
The temple remains an active place where visitors can witness daily Buddhist rituals, such as monks chanting and ringing the large bell in the halls. These routines shape the rhythm of the site and show how Buddhist traditions continue to be practiced here today.
The grounds are reachable on foot from the Hase bus stop, allowing visitors to arrive with a short walk. The temple remains accessible year-round and the pathways are well-maintained, making a visit possible at any time.
The grounds shelter protected Natural Monuments, including three ancient cedar trees and Japanese Umbrella-pine trees native to this region. These trees are older than many of the temple buildings and add to the natural history of the place.
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