Hokoji Temple

Hokoji Temple is a Shingon Buddhist institution believed to have been established in 1184. It is also known as the Temple of Flowers for its lush front garden, filled with a wide variety of flowers. These include plums, camellias, cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, and bush clovers, plus a great many maple trees, giving the temple colorful natural scenery from spring to autumn. The garden is a beautiful setting for admiring nature in quiet contemplation.

Hokoji is also known as a place to pray for romance. This is because of its Aizen Hall, which houses a statue of the Buddhist Wisdom King Aizen Myo-o lifting a bow toward the sky. Aizen Myo-o is believed to liberate people from worldly desires such as lust and greed. This is thought a blessing for finding true love, as well as a blessing for various other relationships and even for work.

For visitors whose hearts are connected to their stomachs, the temple offers authentic Japanese Buddhist cuisine (shojin ryori) in spring and autumn. The menu varies with the seasons but can include dishes such as sesame tofu and vegetable tempura.

On April 29 every year, the temple holds the Daikokuten Festival, which features a holy fire ceremony and firewalking. Monks from the temple walk on hot ashes to burn away evil and pray for family safety, good health, and the fulfillment of their wishes. Visitors are welcome to try firewalking with assistance from the monks.