Kojoji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda: A Zen Pagoda of 1432 on Ikuchijima
Kojoji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda (向上寺三重塔, Kojoji Sanju-no-to) is a three-storied pagoda built in 1432 in Setoda-cho on Ikuchijima island, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and was designated a National Treasure in 1958.
Kojoji is a Zen temple on the slopes of Mount Shion, northeast of Setoda port, and the pagoda stands high in its grounds. The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as a three-bay, three-storied pagoda with a hongawara tile roof.
It was first protected on 14 April 1913, the date that stands as its designation as an Important Cultural Property, and became a National Treasure on 8 February 1958. It belongs to Kojoji Temple.
Why It Is a National Treasure
The agency values Kojoji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda as a rare surviving pagoda of a Zen temple, strongly marked by the Zen (karayo) manner of building and showing distinctive design in its details.
Just as important, its date of 1432 is known, and almost all of its members appear to be original. The agency notes how unusual it is for a dated medieval pagoda to retain so much of its first timber. The pagoda preserves mid-Muromachi Zen building techniques together with a firm date.
What to Look For
Painted vermilion, the pagoda rises sharply out of the island's greenery. The strong Zen character shows in the dense bracketing and the treatment of the eaves. Stand directly beneath it and look up at the underside of the eaves to see whether brackets sit between the posts as well as on them, and how the rafters are laid.
Each storey shows katomado, windows with a cusped, flame-like upper outline typical of Zen buildings. Read the window shapes together with the density of the bracketing to get a feel for the pagoda's karayo character.
Because the pagoda stands on a slope, it looks different from below and from the higher part of the grounds. From above, you can see the three tiled roofs stacking one over another.
Visiting Kojoji
Kojoji is at 57 Setoda, Setoda-cho, Onomichi. According to a travel magazine, it is about a 10-minute walk from Setoda port. By car, it is about 7.3 kilometres from the Ikuchijima-kita interchange on the Nishiseto Expressway (Shimanami Kaido), and there is free parking.
Visitors can enter the grounds, but no official information from the temple on hours or fees could be found. Check with the temple (0845-27-3377) before visiting. The pagoda is on a hillside, and the path climbs.
No official policy on photography could be found. The grounds are an active place of worship, so avoid disturbing services and visitors at prayer.
Q&A
- When was Kojoji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda built?
- In 1432. Almost all of its members appear to be original.
- Why is Kojoji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda a National Treasure?
- It is a rare surviving Zen temple pagoda with strong karayo features, a known date and largely original timber. It was designated in 1958.
- How do I get to Kojoji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda?
- About 10 minutes on foot from Setoda port, or about 7.3 kilometres by car from the Ikuchijima-kita interchange.
- Is there a fee to see Kojoji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda?
- No official information from the temple was found. Check with the temple (0845-27-3377) before visiting.
- What style is Kojoji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda?
- A three-bay, three-storied pagoda with a tiled roof, showing strong Zen (karayo) building techniques.
Basic Information
| Name | Kojoji Temple Three-Storied Pagoda |
|---|---|
| Location | 57 Setoda, Setoda-cho, Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture |
| Designation | National Treasure (Building) |
| Year Designated | Designated National Treasure 1958/02/08 (Showa 33); Important Cultural Property 1913/04/14 (Taisho 2) |
| Quantity | 1 pagoda |
| Dimensions | Three-bay, three-storied pagoda, hongawara tile roof |
| Owner | Kojoji Temple |
| Public Access | Grounds open to visitors. Check fees and hours with the temple |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties: Kojoji Three-Storied Pagoda
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/3188
- Cultural Heritage Online: Kojoji Three-Storied Pagoda
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/157725
- Tabi-mag: Kojoji (travel magazine, Japanese)
- https://tabi-mag.jp/hm0073/
Last verified: 2026.09.27