An ancient Shingon Buzan temple in Higashi-Koiwa famous for its 'Yogo no Matsu' — a massive five-needle pine said to have been visited by the poet Matsuo Basho. The tree is a Tokyo Metropolitan Natural Monument. The temple is said to have been founded by Gyoki in the Nara period and enshrines Fudo Myoo.

Zenyoji Temple is said to have been founded in 730 CE (the 2nd year of the Tenpyo era) by the Buddhist monk Gyoki, making it one of the oldest temples in the former Shimosa Province. Located near the border between Shimosa and Musashi provinces, the temple is believed to have developed as a center o…