Jōdō-ji

Jōdō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kumamoto situated at the end of a long stone pathway lined with traditional buildings, with a concrete niomon front gate built in 1920. Inside, a stairway leads upward to a mausoleum where the famous daimyo Kato Kiyomasa and two retainers are buried.

The temple was founded in 1585 in Osaka by Kato Kiyomasa and moved several times before reaching its current location and being rebuilt in 1884. These relocations reflect the shifting history of the region and how the temple adapted to changing circumstances over time.

This temple belongs to the Nichiren sect of Buddhism, and you can join meditation sessions and prayer gatherings in its worship hall. Locals come here regularly to practice their faith and maintain a connection to the spiritual traditions rooted in this place.

A steep climb of 176 steps leads up to the mausoleum, so come prepared with sturdy shoes and some stamina. The path is tiring but rewards you with views from above and a quiet spot to spend time at the temple.

A large joyato lantern near the upper stairway steps once served as a light beacon visible from the grounds of Kumamoto Castle. This old signaling function shows how the temple and castle were once linked across the local landscape.