One of the Oldest Temple Halls in Hokkaido
The Jokokuji Temple Main Hall (上國寺本堂) is the main hall of a Jodo Buddhist temple of 1758 in Katsuyama, Kaminokuni Town, Hiyama District, Hokkaido, and was designated an Important Cultural Property on April 20, 1993 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a single-storey hall 11.3 by 13.1 metres under a hip-and-gable roof, with a one-bay porch; designation number 02277.
A Jodo Temple below the Katsuyama Fort
Jokokuji is a temple of the Jodo school at the foot of Mount Iozan, site of the Katsuyama fort built in the late 15th century (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The main hall, built in 1758, takes the developed form of a Jodo-school main hall (Agency for Cultural Affairs). It also shows adaptations to the cold climate, such as bringing the front veranda inside.
Why It Is an Important Cultural Property
The Agency values it as one of the few Buddhist halls in Hokkaido dating back to the mid-18th century. It was designated an Important Cultural Property on April 20, 1993.
What to Look For
Notice how the front veranda was brought inside to cope with the cold (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
No official information on visiting the hall was found.
Q&A
- When was the Jokokuji main hall built?
- In 1758 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is the temple name read?
- Jokoku-ji (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Why is it valuable?
- Few Buddhist halls in Hokkaido date back to the mid-18th century.
- Where is Jokokuji?
- At the foot of Mount Iozan, site of the Katsuyama fort.
- When was the Jokokuji Temple Main Hall designated an Important Cultural Property?
- On April 20, 1993 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Jokokuji Temple Main Hall (上國寺本堂) |
|---|---|
| Location | Katsuyama, Kaminokuni Town, Hiyama District, Hokkaido |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1993/04/20 (Heisei 5) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | 11.3 by 13.1 m, single storey, hip-and-gable, 1-bay porch |
| Owner | Jokokuji Temple |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Jokokuji Temple Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/102/37
Last verified: 2026.10.17