Chikurin-ji, Buddhist temple in Godaisan, Kōchi, Japan
Chikurin-ji is a Buddhist temple in Godaisan, Kōchi, featuring traditional Japanese architecture across multiple halls and garden spaces. Extensive bamboo groves surround the structures and dominate the landscape throughout the site.
The temple was founded in 724 when Emperor Shōmu instructed the Buddhist monk Gyōki to locate a site resembling Mount Wutai in China. The garden was later designed during the Kamakura period to support meditative practice.
The temple houses 17 Buddhist statues designated as Important Cultural Properties, including the principal image of Monju Bosatsu that draws visitors to its halls. These sculptures reflect the spiritual depth that shaped the site's meaning for worshippers over centuries.
Buses serve the site with a dedicated stop at Chikurinji-mae, and parking spaces are available for visitors arriving by car. The location is accessible and clearly marked for those visiting.
The Kamakura-period garden contains a meditation pond whose surface mirrors the surrounding landscape throughout the seasons. This water feature creates a reflective quality that supports the spiritual practice of visitors.
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