Kozanji Temple
山口県
Kozanji is a Soto Zen temple founded in 1327…
Founded
1327
Type
Temple
Visited
Want to go
Access
About 30 min by bus from JR Shimonoseki Station
1-2-3 Chofu-Kawabata, Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi
Open in Google Maps ↗
Overview
Kozanji is a Soto Zen temple founded in 1327, whose Buddha hall of 1320 is Japan's oldest surviving Zen-style structure and a National Treasure. In December 1864, Takasugi Shinsaku raised an army of 84 here in the Kozanji Uprising, a turning point toward the Meiji Restoration.
Origins
The Buddha hall of Kozanji is said to have been constructed in 1320, and it survives today as the oldest existing example of Zen-style (karayo) architecture in Japan, designated as a National Treasure. The temple itself was founded in 1327 by the Soto Zen monk Koan Genjaku. During the medieval perio…
Read more
祭Festivals & Events— 1
祭
12月
15
Kozanji Takasugi Shinsaku Festival
A commemorative event at the site where Takasugi Shinsaku raised his irregular militia.
記Related Articles— 2
記
記
A Revolutionary Army Beyond Class — Takasugi Shinsaku and the Kiheitai
In 1863, Takasugi Shinsaku founded the Kiheitai in Choshu — a revolutionary militia of volunteers regardless of class: farmers, townsmen, monks, and samurai alike. Transcending the feudal class system, it became a driving force of the movement to topple the shogunate.
era
›
記
Dan-no-ura and the Fall of the Heike: Visiting the End of the Genpei War
On the twenty-fourth day of the third month of Genryaku 2 (1185), the Taira clan was destroyed at Dan-no-ura in the Kanmon Strait. This article traces the fall of the Heike through five historic sites in Shimonoseki and Yamaguchi, examining the end of the Genpei War and the birth of warrior rule.
era
›
Posts
0
＋
No posts yet
Goshuin
No goshuin posts yet
Visiting Information
Hours
Shoin/garden viewing 9:00-17:00. Grounds freely visitable any time.
Admission
Free to visit grounds. Only Shoin/garden viewing charges (300 adults, 100 students).
As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.
Official Links
Also Worth Visiting
長
Chofu Mori Residence
Chofu Mori Residence was built in 1903 by Mori Mot…
261m
→
壇
Dan-no-ura Battlefield
The site of the Battle of Dan-no-ura on March 24…
4.2km
→
Iminomiya Shrine
Iminomiya is an ancient shrine said to be the site…
580m
→
壇
Dan-no-ura Battery Site
The battery site where Choshu, fired by anti-foreign zeal, exchanged fire with Western powers in the Shimonoseki War, its long guns lined along the strait
4.1km
→
笑
Shozanji
A Buddhist temple in Shimonoseki…
254m
→
覚
Kakuonji
An Obaku Zen temple founded in 1698 by Mori Tsunam…
466m
→
真
Kakushoji
A Buddhist temple in Shimonoseki…
454m
→
日
Nichiraiji
A Buddhist temple in Shimonoseki…
567m
→
記
Suggest an update
Suggest fixes to the location, history, visiting hours, access, facilities, notes and more
›
Report incorrect info ›
Get the app for a better experience
Auto stamp via GPS, offline access, and favorites tracking
View in app
＋
Explore pilgrimage with the app
View in app
✕