Kokujoji Temple, located in Tsubame City (formerly Yoshida City), is a Shingon ancient temple known as the oldest temple in Echigo, enshrined on the slopes of Mt. Kokujo. Said to have been founded in 709 (Wado 2) of the Nara period, it can be called the birthplace of Buddhist culture in Echigo. It is also famous as the place where the Zen monk Ryokan trained in his youth, and the temple holds many…

The oldest temple in Echigo, said to have been founded in 709 (Wado 2) by Gyoki, a disciple of Dosho. In the Heian and Kamakura periods it received the veneration of the imperial court and warrior clans and flourished greatly. Famous as the place where the Edo-period Zen monk Ryokan trained in his y…