Shōfuku-ji

Shōfuku-ji is a Buddhist temple in Higashimurayama housing a Jizo Hall designed in traditional Zen architectural style. The structure displays classic Japanese craftsmanship with a hip-and-gable roof and wooden construction methods.

The temple was built in 1407 and has housed numerous small statues of Jizo Bodhisattva since then. Its architectural and religious importance led to its designation as a National Treasure of Japan in 1952.

The temple belongs to the Rinzai Zen school and maintains close ties to Kenchoji tradition. You can observe how Buddhist practices continue to shape the daily rhythm of this place.

The temple sits along the Kamakura Highway and its exterior remains open for daily visits. The interior opens only once yearly during the Jizo Festival, so check the dates ahead of your visit.

The temple contains Tokyo's largest stone memorial tablet, which originally served as a bridge girder spanning a small stream. This unusual object shows the creative reuse of materials in Japanese architecture.

Location: Higashimurayama

Inception: 1270

Website: https://shofuku-ji.org

GPS coordinates: 35.76476,139.45947

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:41