Jofukuji Temple Kuri: A Relocated Edo-Period Kitchen Hall in Kochi's Mountain Village
Deep in the mountainous heart of Shikoku, in the town of Otoyo in Kochi Prefecture, stands Jofukuji Temple — a Shingon Buddhist temple with a history stretching back nearly 1,300 years. Among its registered cultural properties, the temple's Kuri (kitchen hall) holds a particularly fascinating story. Originally built in 1858 as part of a wealthy local family's residence, this building was carefully dismantled and relocated to the temple grounds in 1885, where it has served as both a kitchen facility and a hall dedicated to Kōbō Daishi ever since. Registered as a national tangible cultural property in 2013, the Kuri represents a remarkable intersection of domestic architecture, Buddhist temple culture, and the resilient spirit of a mountain community.
History of Jofukuji Temple
Jofukuji Temple belongs to the Chisan branch of the Shingon sect and is dedicated to Amida Nyorai (Amitābha Buddha). According to temple tradition, it was founded in 724 (Jinki 1) by the renowned monk Gyōki under an imperial decree from Emperor Shōmu. At its peak, the temple complex boasted twelve buildings, including the Main Hall, Niō Gate, Bell Tower, Eleven-Faced Kannon Hall, and a seminary.
The temple's history is marked by two devastating fires. The first, during the Meiwa–An'ei period (1764–1780), destroyed the Main Hall, though the temple's Buddhist statues were miraculously saved. The Main Hall was subsequently rebuilt in 1779 under the patronage of Yamauchi Toyokazu, the lord of the Tosa Domain. A second fire struck in 1885 (Meiji 18), destroying the Niō Gate, the Kuri, and most other buildings, while the Main Hall itself survived.
The Kuri: From the Asakura Family Residence to Temple Kitchen Hall
The current Kuri has a unique origin story that sets it apart from typical temple buildings. It was originally constructed in 1858 (Ansei 4) as part of the residence of the Ishidō Asakura family, a prominent household in the Toyonaga district of what is now Otoyo Town. The Asakura family of Ishidō was a wealthy local clan with deep roots in the region.
When the fire of 1885 left Jofukuji without a kitchen facility, the Asakura family building was dismantled and painstakingly reassembled on the temple grounds. This practice of relocating existing buildings, known as "ichiku" in Japanese, was common in rural areas where skilled carpenters could carefully disassemble timber-frame structures and reconstruct them at new sites. The building was adapted to serve as the temple's Kuri — the kitchen and living quarters for the monks — while also functioning as the Daishi-dō, a hall enshrining Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai), the founder of Shingon Buddhism.
Why It Was Registered as a Tangible Cultural Property
On June 21, 2013, the Jofukuji Kuri was officially registered as a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property (building). The registration recognizes several aspects of its historical and architectural significance.
As a late Edo-period residential structure that was successfully relocated and repurposed as a temple building, the Kuri demonstrates the adaptability and craftsmanship of traditional Japanese timber-frame architecture. Its construction techniques reflect the building traditions of the mountainous Toyonaga district, where local materials and methods were shaped by the demands of the terrain and climate. Together with the Main Hall, which was registered at the same time, the Kuri helps preserve the architectural heritage of this historically significant mountain community.
Architectural Highlights and Visitor Experience
The Kuri serves dual purposes as both the temple's kitchen quarters and the Daishi-dō. Visitors can enter the building for worship, offering a more intimate experience compared to the Main Hall. The structure features the robust timber framing characteristic of Edo-period domestic architecture, with heavy wooden beams, traditional joinery, and materials suited to the mountain environment.
The building's position within the temple complex is notable: from the Main Hall, visitors cross the road and descend a short stairway, passing through a small gate to reach the Kuri/Daishi-dō. The temple's stamp office (nōkyōsho) is located beside the entrance. This layout creates a journey-like experience, transitioning from the formal grandeur of the Main Hall to the more personal, welcoming atmosphere of the Kuri.
Jofukuji's Cultural Treasures
Beyond the Kuri and Main Hall, Jofukuji is home to an extraordinary collection of cultural properties. The temple's six Jizō Bodhisattva statues, designated as Kochi Prefectural Cultural Properties, include three that display gentle smiling expressions — believed to be the only "Smiling Jizō" statues in all of Japan. The temple also houses what is considered the oldest Shōtoku Taishi statue in Shikoku, dating to the Nanboku-chō period.
The temple grounds include a Man'yō Botanical Garden — the seventh of its kind established in Japan — featuring plants mentioned in the ancient Man'yōshū poetry anthology. A pond of ancient Ōga lotus, grown from seeds discovered at a prehistoric archaeological site in Chiba Prefecture, blooms beautifully from late June through early August. In autumn, approximately 500 Japanese maple trees transform the temple grounds into a spectacular display of crimson and gold.
Toyonaga Folk Museum
Located within the temple grounds, the Toyonaga Folk Museum houses approximately 10,000 folk tools and implements, of which 2,595 items have been designated as a national Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property under the name "Agricultural Production Tools of the Tosa Toyonaga District and Surrounding Areas." This collection is the only nationally designated mountain village folk tool collection in all of Shikoku. The museum building itself, completed in 2016, received the Good Design Award in 2017 for its architecture and exhibition design.
Surrounding Attractions
Otoyo Town offers several attractions that pair naturally with a visit to Jofukuji. The Great Cedar of Ōsugi, a Special National Natural Monument estimated to be 3,000 years old, is considered the largest cedar tree in Japan. Ryūō-no-taki (Dragon King Falls), selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Waterfalls, cascades 16 meters down a mountainside on the way to Mt. Kajigamori. The Former Tachikawa Guardhouse Study, a National Important Cultural Property, served as a lodging for the lords of Tosa Domain during their processions to Edo. The Yutorisuto Park Otoyo, a highland recreational facility, offers panoramic views, herb gardens, cottages, and camping areas.
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Q＆A
- What exactly is a "Kuri" in a Japanese temple?
- A Kuri is the kitchen and living quarters of a Buddhist temple, where monks prepare meals and carry out daily activities. At Jofukuji, the Kuri also serves as the Daishi-dō (Kōbō Daishi Hall), where visitors can enter and pray. It is a more intimate and personal space compared to the formal Main Hall.
- Is there an admission fee to visit Jofukuji Temple?
- The temple grounds can be visited free of charge. The Treasure Hall (Hōmotsuden) has a small admission fee of 100 yen. The temple is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- How do I get to Jofukuji Temple?
- By car, the temple is approximately 20 minutes from the Otoyo Interchange on the Kochi Expressway. By train, the nearest station is Toyonaga Station on the JR Dosan Line, from which the temple is accessible by local transportation. There is a parking lot near the Main Hall that can accommodate about 10 vehicles.
- When is the best time to visit?
- Each season has its own charm. Late June to early August is ideal for seeing the ancient Ōga lotus in bloom. Autumn (mid-November) brings spectacular foliage from 500 Japanese maple trees. The Lotus Festival is held every July. Throughout the year, the mountain setting provides a peaceful atmosphere for contemplation.
- Can I visit the Kuri building itself?
- Yes. The Kuri serves as the Daishi-dō and is open for worship. Visitors can enter the building and pray inside. The temple's stamp office (nōkyōsho) for pilgrimage stamp collection is also located beside the entrance to the Kuri.
Basic Information
| Name | Jofukuji Temple Kuri (定福寺庫裏) |
|---|---|
| Cultural Property Category | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Registration Date | June 21, 2013 |
| Original Construction | 1858 (Ansei 4) — built as part of the Ishidō Asakura family residence |
| Relocation | 1885 (Meiji 18) — relocated to Jofukuji Temple grounds |
| Address | 158-3 Aō, Aza Tera-no-Naru, Otoyo-chō, Nagaoka-gun, Kochi Prefecture 789-0167 |
| Owner | Religious Corporation Jofukuji |
| Sect | Shingon-shū Chisan-ha (Shingon Buddhism, Chisan Branch) |
| Principal Image | Amida Nyorai (Amitābha Buddha) |
| Pilgrimage | Shin-Shikoku Mandala Pilgrimage, Temple No. 61 |
| Hours | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Treasure Hall Admission | 100 yen |
| Access | Approximately 20 minutes by car from Otoyo IC (Kochi Expressway) |
| Contact | TEL: 0887-74-0301 / FAX: 0887-74-0302 |
References
- 定福寺 - Wikipedia
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%AE%9A%E7%A6%8F%E5%AF%BA
- 定福寺 公式サイト
- https://jofukuji-kochi.jp/
- 定福寺 | 大豊ナビ（大豊町観光情報）
- https://www.otoyo-kankou.com/spot/johufuji/
- 定福寺・定福寺宝物殿 | こうち旅ネット（高知県観光情報）
- https://kochi-tabi.jp/search_spot_sightseeing.html?id=16365
- 定福寺・豊永郷民族資料館 | 土佐れいほく
- https://tosareihoku-kanko.com/view/jofukuji/
- 資料館の歴史 | 民俗資料館 | 定福寺
- https://jofukuji-kochi.jp/museum_2.html
- 定福寺本堂 | 文化遺産オンライン
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/273593
- 朝倉氏 - Wikipedia
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%9C%9D%E5%80%89%E6%B0%8F
Last verified: 2026.03.26