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Yakuoji Temple: The Ancient Shingon Temple Built on Noriyori's Estate

Yakuoji Temple in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, stands on the former villa of Minamoto no Noriyori, younger brother of shogun Yoritomo. This Shingon temple preserves Noriyori's memorial tablet and holds the annual Mikawa-ki memorial service every August 24th.

Contents

MOKUJI

What Kind of Temple is Yakuoji?

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Who Was Minamoto no Noriyori?

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Cultural Properties and History within the Precinct

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Summary — For Your Visit to Yakuoji

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Yakuoji Temple stands on the former villa of Minamoto no Noriyori, younger brother of shogun Yoritomo, making it one of the most poignant sites in the Kanazawa district of Yokohama. The temple preserves Noriyori’s memorial tablet and holds the annual Mikawa-ki memorial service every August 24th. For visitors seeking to trace the triumphs and tragedies of the Kamakura shogunate, this quiet Shingon temple is an essential stop.

The main hall of Yakuoji Temple in Kanazawa Bunko. A Shingon Omuro school temple welcomed by a pair of stone lanterns and a hanging bell rope

What Kind of Temple is Yakuoji?

Basic Information and Temple Profile

The full formal name of Yakuoji Temple is Sanryozan Ioin Yakuoji. The mountain name “Sanryo” — three healings — reflects the temple’s aspiration to heal body, mind, and life. The temple belongs to the Shingon Omuro school, whose head temple is Ninnaji in Kyoto, preserving the esoteric Buddhist lineage of Kobo Daishi Kukai.

Item

Details

Mountain / Institute / Temple Name

Sanryozan Ioin Yakuoji

Denomination

Shingon Omuro school

Head Temple

Ninnaji, Kyoto

Principal Object of Worship

Dainichi Nyorai (main hall) / Yakushi Nyorai (Yakushi-do, secret Buddha)

Location

2-23-52 Terasaki, Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama

Access

5 min walk from “Uminokoen Minamiguchi” Station (Kanazawa Seaside Line) / 15 min walk from “Kanazawa Bunko” Station East Exit (Keikyu Line)

The Principal Image and the Legend of Yakushi Nyorai

The main hall enshrines a seated Taizokai Dainichi Nyorai. A separate Yakushi-do hall houses a standing Yakushi Nyorai, a secret Buddha said to have been carved by the monk Gyoki. The institute name “Ioin” (Hall of the Medicine King) also reflects devotion to the Yakushi Nyorai, who relieves the suffering of illness. This place, once called “Segasaki,” is said to have been where Minamoto no Noriyori maintained a villa, and the Yakushi Nyorai is believed to have been his personal devotional image.

A statue of Kobo Daishi (Kukai) standing in the precinct of Yakuoji, whose head temple is Ninnaji in Kyoto (Shingon Omuro school)

Who Was Minamoto no Noriyori?

Genpei War Achievements and a Tragic End

Minamoto no Noriyori was a half-brother of Minamoto no Yoritomo, appointed Governor of Mikawa. During the Genpei War he commanded Minamoto forces alongside his brother Minamoto no Yoshitsune, fighting to destroy the Heike at Ichi-no-Tani, Yashima, Dan-no-Ura and elsewhere. His military service was a great pillar supporting the foundation of Yoritomo’s government.

In 1193 (Kenkyu 4), however, after the “Revenge of the Soga Brothers” at the foot of Mount Fuji, Yoritomo — swayed in part by the slander of close retainers — came to suspect Noriyori of treason. Noriyori is said to have sent letters of explanation, but Yoritomo’s suspicions were not dispelled, and he was finally confined at Shuzenji in Izu. Soon after, a force led by Kajiwara Kagetoki closed in on Shuzenji, and Noriyori is said to have taken his own life. A loyal vassal who had supported the very founding of the Kamakura shogunate lost his life to his brother’s suspicion — a tragedy retold as one of the great sorrows of “The 13 Lords of the Shogun.”

The Villa Site and the Founding of Yakuoji

The tradition that Noriyori maintained a villa at “Segasaki” in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, is a historical memory rooted in this land. After his death, those who mourned his virtue are said to have enshrined his devotional Yakushi Nyorai at the former villa site and built a hall — the origin of Yakuoji. The temple still preserves Noriyori’s memorial tablet (Buddhist name Tainei-ji-den Dogo Daizenmon, dated the 24th day of the 8th month, Kenkyu 4), and the memorial service called Mikawa-ki is solemnly observed on his death anniversary, August 24th.

A commemorative shikishi board from the NHK drama "The 13 Lords of the Shogun" depicting Minamoto no Noriyori, displayed at Yakuoji, which stands on the site of his former villa

In the 2022 NHK historical drama “The 13 Lords of the Shogun,” the actor Takaya Sakoda played Noriyori, and the broadcast brought a rise in visitors. A commemorative shikishi board from the drama is displayed in the precinct, and many history fans visit the temple as a drama-related site.

Cultural Properties and History within the Precinct

A Yokohama-Designated Cultural Property: The Ryokai Mandala

A cultural property information board at Yakuoji, explaining the Yokohama-designated silk-color Ryokai Mandala in seed-syllables

The silk-color Ryokai Mandala in seed-syllables held by Yakuoji is designated a Yokohama City Tangible Cultural Property. An esoteric Buddhist painting thought to predate the 14th century, it depicts the Womb and Diamond mandalas in seed-syllables (Sanskrit bija). It is a precious relic conveying the Shingon esoteric art of the Kamakura period. The temple also preserves a Kamakura-period image of Kannon Bodhisattva.

The Bell and the “Bell of Peace”

A bell tower was built in 1828 (Bunsei 11), but its bell was lost to the metal requisition order during World War II. In 1947 (Showa 22), a new bell was cast as the “Bell of Peace,” carrying the wish for postwar recovery. That bell still hangs in the tower today, welcoming worshippers.

The bell tower of Yakuoji, housing the "Bell of Peace" recast in 1947 after the original was lost to wartime metal requisition

The main hall, lost to a fire during the Kaei era (1848–1854), was later rebuilt. After declining in the Muromachi period, the temple was revived by the priest Son’yo and renamed “Sanryozan Yakuoji.” Thereafter, through the Edo period, 31 generations of head priests kept its sacred flame.

Summary — For Your Visit to Yakuoji

A pre-written goshuin received at Yakuoji, inscribed with the principal image Dainichi Nyorai and more

Tips for Visiting

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Goshuin is offered as a pre-written sheet, inscribed with the principal image Dainichi Nyorai and more.

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The “Mikawa-ki” on August 24th is the memorial on Noriyori’s death anniversary; visiting that day deepens the historical encounter.

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The Yakushi Nyorai in the Yakushi-do is a secret Buddha, so confirm in advance whether it can be viewed.

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The commemorative drama shikishi displayed in the precinct intuitively conveys the bond between Noriyori and the temple.

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With stone lanterns and a bell-rope arranged before the main hall, the precinct has a serene atmosphere for quiet worship.

Related Spots

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Yakuoji — On Noriyori’s former villa site; preserves the Mikawa-ki and his memorial tablet.

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Shomyoji — Family temple of the Kanazawa Hojo; its Kanazawa Bunko conveys Kamakura culture.

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Seto Jinja — An old shrine of Kanazawa Hakkei said to be founded by Minamoto no Yoritomo.

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Biwajima Shrine — A Benzaiten invited by Masako Hojo, floating in scenic Kanazawa Hakkei.

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Shuzenji — The Izu temple where Noriyori was confined and died; it still bears the tragedy of Kamakura warriors.

Recommended Pilgrimage Course — Kanazawa Bunko & Kanazawa Hakkei Half Day

Starting from Kanazawa Bunko Station, visit Shomyoji (family temple of the Kanazawa Hojo and a National Historic Site), then honor Noriyori’s memory at Yakuoji. Moving to the Kanazawa Hakkei area to visit Seto Jinja and Biwajima Shrine completes a half-day pilgrimage tracing the footsteps of the Minamoto clan — Yoritomo, Masako, and Noriyori — in a single day. All are within walking or cycling distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive a goshuin at Yakuoji?

Goshuin is offered as a pre-written sheet, inscribed with the principal image Dainichi Nyorai and other calligraphy, which you may take home as proof of your visit. As the hours of offering may change, it is advisable to inquire with the temple in advance.

What kind of service is the Mikawa-ki?

The Mikawa-ki is a memorial service for Minamoto no Noriyori held every August 24th. Observed on Noriyori’s death anniversary (the 24th day of the 8th month, Kenkyu 4), it is solemnly conducted at the temple each year. “Mikawa” derives from Mikawa Province, of which Noriyori was governor. On that day, relatives and worshippers gather to honor the virtue of a warrior who lost his life in the early Kamakura period.

What are the access and nearest stations?

The easiest access is about a 5-minute walk from “Uminokoen Minamiguchi” Station on the Kanazawa Seaside Line. From the East Exit of “Kanazawa Bunko” Station on the Keikyu Main Line it is about a 15-minute walk. If touring together with Shomyoji or Seto Jinja, Kanazawa Bunko Station makes a convenient base.

Why did Noriyori take his own life?

In 1193 (Kenkyu 4), after the Soga Brothers’ revenge at the foot of Mount Fuji, his brother Minamoto no Yoritomo came to suspect Noriyori of treason — partly, it is said, due to retainers’ slander. Unable to clear himself, Noriyori was confined at Shuzenji in Izu and is said to have taken his own life after a punitive force led by Kajiwara Kagetoki closed in. It is recorded in Kamakura history as the tragedy of a loyal vassal who supported the Minamoto victory yet lost his life to his brother’s suspicion and the struggle for power.

Last updated: June 4, 2026

── END ──

Toku editorial team — samurai history. Insists on primary sources and castle-layout diagrams, walking battlefields from Yoritomo's Izu exile sites to the late-Edo battlegrounds.

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