Hofukuji Temple Senjakusei Well: A Granite Wellhead Said to Be the Oldest on the Grounds
The Hofukuji Temple Senjakusei Well (寶福寺千尺井, Hōfukuji Senjakusei) is an early-Edo-period stone well southwest of the Buddha Hall at Hōfukuji, a Rinzai Zen temple in Ijirino, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture, registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan on April 28, 2009.
The mouth of the well measures 1.5 m east to west and 1.6 m north to south. Its curb is made of granite slabs 0.15 m thick: 4 stones, each notched halfway through at the ends so that they lock together in a lap joint, form a frame in the shape of the character for "well." Inside, the shaft is lined with rounded stones. The registered area is 2.4 square meters, making it one of the smallest of Hofukuji's registered structures.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records that the well served ceremonies at the Buddha Hall and is said to be the oldest on the grounds. It is dated to the early Edo period (1615-1660), the earliest period of any of the temple's 24 registered structures. The official reading of its name is Senjakusei.
Why It Was Registered
The Hofukuji Temple Senjakusei Well was registered for its contribution to the historic landscape, under number 33-0211.
The Agency praises the way the curb stones are kept thin and neatly finished despite the size of the well. A wellhead more than 1.5 m across could have been stabilized with thick, heavy stones; instead, slabs just 0.15 m thick were used, and the lap joints at the corners give the frame its strength. For comparison, the curb of the Tenzo well is 13 cm thick and that of the Middle Well 17 cm, and the Senjakusei has the widest mouth of the 3.
Hofukuji lost most of its halls in the fighting of 1575, and rebuilding got under way in the Edo period (Soja City). Dated to the early Edo period, the well may have been in use here before the present Buddha Hall was built in 1735, making it a survivor from the early stages of the temple's recovery.
What to Look For
At the Hofukuji Temple Senjakusei Well, start with the corners of the curb. The 4 slabs are notched into one another and interlock in steps, and their ends project slightly at each corner, the signature of a lap-jointed frame.
Next, notice how thin the stones are. From above, plank-like slabs enclose a large, almost square mouth, and the rim looks slender for the size of the opening. That is the refinement the Agency describes. If you look into the shaft, stay back from the edge rather than leaning over it.
The location matters too. The well lies just southwest of the Buddha Hall, the center of the compound, and the Agency describes it as the well used for the hall's ceremonies. After studying the hall's round windows and fan rafters, stepping over to the oldest well beside it gives a sense of how long this site has been in use.
Visiting
The Hofukuji Temple Senjakusei Well is outdoors and can be seen during temple hours, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. The grounds are free to visit.
Pass through the Main Gate to the front of the Buddha Hall, then walk around its south side toward the southwest to find the well. Please do not sit on the curb stones or rest bags on them.
JR Soja Station is about half an hour away on foot; the Okayama Soja interchange is roughly a quarter of an hour by car. There is parking for 75 cars. No notices on photography appear in the published guides.
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Okayama
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Hofukuji Temple Senjakusei Well
- [ Kurashiki Bikan District & Korakuen Garden Tours ]
Q&A
- How is the name of the Hofukuji Temple Senjakusei Well read?
- The Agency for Cultural Affairs gives the reading Hōfukuji Senjakusei.
- When was the Hofukuji Senjakusei Well made?
- In the early Edo period (1615-1660); it is said to be the oldest well on the grounds. It was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property on April 28, 2009.
- How large is the Hofukuji Senjakusei Well?
- The mouth is 1.5 m by 1.6 m and the curb stones are 0.15 m thick; the registered area is 2.4 square meters.
- How is the Hofukuji Temple Senjakusei Well built?
- 4 granite slabs are lap-jointed into a square frame, and the shaft is lined with rounded stones.
- Can I see the Hofukuji Senjakusei Well?
- Yes. It is outdoors and can be seen free of charge during temple hours, 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Basic Information
| Name | Hofukuji Temple Senjakusei Well |
|---|---|
| Location | 1968-1 Ijirino, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Year Designated | 2009 (Heisei 21), registered |
| Quantity | 1 structure |
| Dimensions | Stone, area 2.4 square meters |
| Owner | Hofukuji (religious corporation) |
| Public Access | Outdoors, open to view (no admission fee) |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs, Database of National Cultural Properties: Hofukuji Senjakusei
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00007672
- Cultural Heritage Online: Hofukuji Senjakusei
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/120544
- Soja City: Hofukuji Registered Buildings (24 structures)
- https://www.city.soja.okayama.jp/soshiki/26/2960.html
- Soja City: Hofukuji Three-Story Pagoda
- https://www.city.soja.okayama.jp/soshiki/26/2878.html
- Okayama Kanko Web: Hofukuji
- https://www.okayama-kanko.jp/spot/detail_10821.html
Last verified: 2026.09.10