Koryuji Temple

Kokkeizan Koryuji Temple is the oldest temple in Hakodate and is located at the foot of Mount Hakodate.

Hakodate. With its imposing gate, main hall and other beautiful structures, the temple has an overwhelming presence that overwhelms visitors.

Ten of the buildings at Koryuji Temple are registered as Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan for their historical value and for their artistry in combining traditional wooden construction techniques.

The history of Koryuji Temple dates back to 1633, when Banmuro Horyu, a monk of Matsumae Hogenji Temple (Eiheiji School of Soto Zen Buddhism), founded the temple in Kameda (near present Bandai-cho).

The present main hall was completed in 1899. It is characterized by its elegant two-layered structure, with an “irimoya-tile” roof extending in all directions and a “mokoshi” roof under the irimoya roof, which runs from the front to the sides of the building.

The interior of the hall is a strong interior space supported by 39 thick zelkova pillars and beams, and in the center is a glittering shumidan on which the three images of Buddha are enshrined. The elaborate carvings on the front shrine and other parts of the building are also magnificent.

In 1911, the temple gate, said to be the largest north of Tohoku, was completed. It is an octagonal gate made of hiba wood with four pillars in front and four pillars in back.

The exterior is characterized by abundant carvings of lions, dragons, and phoenixes, and there are 207 carvings on the gate alone. It was made in Echigo and brought here on a sailing ship.

The gate is flanked on either side by an extended sleeve wall with a pier-tile roof, an earthen wall, and a massive brick wall up to 60 cm thick, which also functions as a firewall, as is typical of a temple in Hakodate, a town known for its large fires.

Kokkezan Koryuji Temple’s main hall, temple gate, brick wall, temple tablet hall, temple hall, Konpira hall, treasure house, bell tower, water basin, firewall, and earthen wall are designated as registered tangible cultural properties.