Honjoji Temple

Honjoji Temple

Honjoji Temple (本成寺) in Nishihonjoji, Sanjo City, Niigata Prefecture, is the head temple of the Jinmon branch of the Hokke school; its main hall, guest hall, Daishoin, main entrance and kuri, built between 1895 and 1903, became Registered Tangible Cultural Properties on October 14, 2021 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

According to the Niigata Prefecture tourism site, the temple was founded in 1297 and is also known for the work and grave of a noted late-Edo woodcarver.

The Five Buildings

The main hall of 1903, a grand hip-and-gable building by carpenters from Toyama, has a porch whose cusped gable bears three pendants and fine carvings throughout. The guest hall of 1895, south-west of the main hall, has a broad, open interior with few posts (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The kuri of 1895 beside it keeps a pair of pillars recut from the former main hall, and the main entrance of around 1895 links the two. The Daishoin of around 1899, joined to the guest hall by an arched bridge, is a calm suite of rooms with snow-country verandas (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Each building is described on its own page.

Visiting

All five are owned by Honjoji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). According to the Niigata Prefecture tourism site, the grounds are free and open every day, with a fee for the treasure hall; many of the carvings are not always on view, so check ahead. The temple is about 15 minutes on foot from JR Sanjo Station.