A History Dating Back to the Heian Period
Chohoji is traditionally believed to have been founded in 1000, during the reign of Emperor Ichijo, at the emperor’s request. The temple’s founding priest is said to have been Shoku Shonin, an influential Buddhist monk of the period.
The temple was initially associated with the Tendai school, but its religious affiliation changed over the centuries. It was later connected with the Hosso and Shingon schools before returning to the Tendai tradition under the patronage of the Kishu Tokugawa family during the Edo period.
The original temple complex was located to the west of its present site. During the Kamakura period, the temple was relocated to its current location, where the buildings and grounds were gradually developed.
The present Main Hall, Tahoto Pagoda, and Great Gate were constructed or rebuilt between the late Kamakura period and the Nanboku-cho period. They are therefore valuable surviving examples of medieval Japanese Buddhist architecture.
A Temple Connected with the Kishu Tokugawa Family
During the Edo period, Chohoji became the family temple of Tokugawa Yorinobu, the first lord of the Kishu Domain and founder of the Kishu branch of the Tokugawa family.
From that time onward, the temple served as an important memorial site for successive members of the Kishu Tokugawa family. The extensive Tokugawa cemetery located on the mountainside behind the temple remains one of the most impressive reminders of this connection.
National Treasure Architecture
Main Hall – A National Treasure
The Main Hall, completed in 1311, is one of the finest surviving examples of medieval Japanese Buddhist architecture. It combines elements of the traditional Japanese Wayō style with features influenced by Zen-style architecture, creating a distinctive hybrid design.
The five-bay-by-five-bay structure has a graceful hipped-and-gabled roof and carefully balanced proportions. Its exterior is elegant and restrained, while the interior features a sophisticated spatial arrangement divided into areas such as the outer sanctuary, inner sanctuary, and rear sanctuary.
The building preserves architectural characteristics associated with esoteric Buddhist traditions. Its ability to combine different architectural influences into a harmonious Japanese design demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship achieved during the medieval period.
Tahoto Pagoda – A National Treasure
The Tahoto Pagoda was built in 1357 and is celebrated as an outstanding example of traditional Japanese architectural beauty. Its carefully balanced upper and lower sections create an elegant and stable appearance.
The relatively low hemispherical base and gently curving roof give the pagoda a graceful silhouette. Intricate wooden brackets, carvings, and structural details can be seen throughout the building.
The Tahoto is regarded as one of the finest surviving examples of its type and is particularly valuable for understanding the development of medieval Japanese Buddhist architecture.
Great Gate – A National Treasure
The magnificent Great Gate was constructed in 1388 following an imperial decree issued during the reign of Emperor Go-Komatsu. Built in the form of a two-story gate with a three-bay entrance, it creates an impressive entrance to the temple grounds.
Its well-balanced proportions are characteristic of early Muromachi-period architecture. The gate is also decorated with carvings of carp, dragons, and tigers.
The carp and dragon imagery is associated with the traditional Chinese story of the Dragon Gate, in which a carp that successfully swims upstream and passes through the gate transforms into a dragon. The imagery has therefore come to symbolize success, advancement, and achievement.
Other Important Cultural Properties
Chinju-do Shrine
Located between the Main Hall and Tahoto Pagoda, the small Chinju-do Shrine is believed to date from the late Kamakura period. Its elegant design features a single-bay nagare-zukuri structure with a traditional cypress-bark roof.
The shrine provides valuable evidence of the religious practices and architectural traditions of medieval Japan, when Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines were closely connected within the same religious landscape.
Memorial Hall and Guest Hall
The Memorial Hall was developed during the Edo period and houses memorial tablets associated with the Kishu Tokugawa family. It served as an important place of worship and remembrance for successive generations of the domain’s rulers.
The Guest Hall also preserves architectural features from the Edo period and contributes to the historical character of the temple complex.
The Kishu Tokugawa Cemetery
One of Chohoji’s most remarkable features is the extensive Kishu Tokugawa family cemetery located in the mountains to the east of the temple grounds. Covering approximately 10,000 tsubo, or roughly 33,000 square meters, it is considered one of the largest daimyo family cemeteries in Japan.
The cemetery contains the graves of Tokugawa Yorinobu, the first lord of the Kishu Domain, as well as numerous members of the Tokugawa family and their relatives.
Stone monuments, walls, and carefully arranged graves extend across the forested mountainside, creating an imposing and solemn landscape. Visitors can appreciate the scale of the Kishu Tokugawa family’s influence through this remarkable historic cemetery.
It is worth noting that Tokugawa Yoshimune and Tokugawa Iemochi, both of whom became shoguns of Japan, are not buried here. Their graves are located in Tokyo.
A Temple Surrounded by Nature
Chohoji is surrounded on three sides by mountains, creating a peaceful and secluded atmosphere. The temple grounds are surrounded by a rich forest of evergreen broad-leaved trees, which has been designated as a natural monument by Wakayama Prefecture.
Trees such as shii evergreen beech and Japanese bayberry grow throughout the woodland. The forest provides a beautiful natural setting for the historic buildings and helps preserve the tranquil atmosphere of the temple.
In spring, cherry blossoms and peonies add vibrant color to the grounds. Because of its beautiful seasonal flowers, Chohoji is also known as a “Temple of Flowers.”
The combination of ancient architecture, forested mountains, and seasonal flowers creates a landscape that changes throughout the year and offers visitors a peaceful way to experience traditional Japan.
A Peaceful Cultural Destination in Wakayama
Chohoji is an ideal destination for travelers who want to experience Japan’s architectural and religious heritage away from the country’s busiest tourist centers. The quiet surroundings make it possible to appreciate the buildings, forests, and historic atmosphere at a relaxed pace.
Visitors interested in Japanese Buddhist architecture, medieval history, samurai culture, the Tokugawa family, and traditional gardens and landscapes will find plenty to discover throughout the temple grounds.
Access
Chohoji can be conveniently reached by taxi from Shimotsu Station on the JR Kisei Main Line.
For visitors traveling by car, the temple is approximately 15 minutes from the Kainan Interchange on the Hanwa Expressway.
Because the temple is located in a quiet mountainous area, it is especially suitable for travelers looking to slow down and enjoy a peaceful cultural experience surrounded by nature.
Why Visit Chohoji Temple?
Chohoji Temple is a rare cultural treasure where more than a thousand years of religious history, magnificent medieval architecture, the heritage of the Kishu Tokugawa family, and a rich natural environment come together.
The presence of three National Treasure buildings—the Main Hall, Tahoto Pagoda, and Great Gate makes Chohoji an especially important destination for anyone interested in Japanese architecture and cultural heritage.
At the same time, the extensive Tokugawa cemetery, historic forest, and seasonal flowers provide a deeper understanding of the connection between Japan’s political history, religious traditions, and natural landscape.
When traveling through Wakayama, a visit to Chohoji offers an opportunity to step away from the modern world and experience the quiet beauty of a thousand-year-old Japanese temple.