Discover Shoutokuji
Tranquility Amidst Nature
A Jōdo Shinshū Bukkō-ji temple in Teradomari, Niigata, founded in 1593 — with a garden from the Edo period and a hill overlooking the Sea of Japan.
はじめにIntroduction
Touzan Shoutokuji, founded in 1593 (the second year of Bunroku), is a temple of the Bukkō-ji school established in the area of Teradomari, from Anamizu, Noto Province. It is said that at the time of its founding, the monk Gannen of Kōzei-ji received the temple name "Shōtoku-ji" from Kōnyo Shōnin and received the mission to spread Buddhism in the Tohoku region. However, due to circumstances, he stayed in Teradomari.
The main enshrined statues he brought with him, such as the seated statue of Shinran Shōnin and the portrait of Prince Shōtoku, have survived two fires, and the garden, the Shokunzuzu (portrait of Prince Shōtoku), and the Ryokan's calligraphy have been designated as cultural assets of Nagaoka City.
庭園Garden
The garden, built by a Kyoto gardener in the mid-Edo period, is said to have been constructed by transporting stones from Yamato and gardeners from Kyoto on the Sengoku route ships from Osaka harbor, with the diligent service of many temple parishioners. The buildings make good use of the varied natural environment, creating a pond garden with clever arrangements of hills, ponds, waterfalls, and rocks, which allows for tranquil strolling.
住職挨拶Greetings from the Chief Priest
We strive to build a temple where we listen to the Buddha's teachings together with the local community. Making use of the beautiful surroundings surrounded by the sea and mountains, we aim to revitalize the temple through activities such as garden tours and music concerts. Our goal is to achieve the harmony of community vitality, family peace, and temple activities, cherishing the connections through the teaching of nenbutsu.
Shinichi Kubosawa, Chief Priest
アクセスAccess
- Address
- 3032 Teradomari Aramachi, Nagaoka City, Niigata 940-2502, Japan
- Phone
- +81-258-75-2029
By car, you can drive up to the temple grounds.
Please enter from the rear approach road near Teradomari Elementary School. On foot, there are about 88 stone steps from the main gate.
By car
- 30 minutes from Nakanoshima-Mitsuke IC or Sanjo-Tsubame IC on the Hokuriku Expressway
- 30 minutes from Nagaoka-Kita Smart IC on the Hokuriku Expressway
Public transportation
- From JR Nagaoka Station: Echigo Kotsu bus, about 60 minutes, get off at “Omachi.” 10-minute walk.
- From JR Teradomari Station (Echigo Line): bus bound for Omachi / Onotsumi, about 10 minutes, get off at “Omachi.” 10-minute walk.
- From JR Teradomari Station: 10 minutes by taxi
On foot
- 5-minute walk from Teradomari Fish Market Street (“Sakana no Ameyoko”)