Jofukuji Temple (Otoyo)

About Jofukuji

Jofukuji is an old Shingon temple in the mountains of Otoyo Town, Nagaoka District, Kochi Prefecture, whose main hall of 1779 and priests' quarters of the late Edo period, moved here in 1885, were registered as two Registered Tangible Cultural Properties (structures) on June 21, 2013 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

According to the Otoyo Town Tourism Development Association, Jofukuji is an old Shingon temple said to have been founded by the monk Gyoki in 724; it keeps many treasures, including its principal image of Amida, six laughing Jizo statues said to be unique in Japan, and the oldest image of Prince Shotoku in Shikoku. Otoyo Town notes the quiet mountain setting and the Manyo plant garden and lotus pond in the grounds.

Two Buildings

The main hall, facing south at the back of the grounds, is five bays square with a hip-and-gable copper roof; a coffered inner sanctuary is surrounded by outer hall, side chapels and rear chamber in a closed, boarded design typical of Shingon halls. The priests' quarters, on a terrace below, have ten rooms in two rows and a private chapel, and keep the main pillar of a large local farmhouse in the former earth-floored area (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting and Location

The temple is about 25 minutes by car from the Otoyo interchange (Otoyo Town Tourism Development Association), and its website gives details of visits and sutra copying. The Agency for Cultural Affairs lists the owner as the religious corporation Jofukuji.