Ryugeji temple

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Ryugeji temple

Ryugeji temple – 龍華寺

A buddhist temple with a spectacular view of Mount Fuji and 220 of　unique ceiling paintings!

About Ryugeji temple

This Nichiren-sect temple was established in early Edo period, in 1668, by a high priest Nichigon who was closely related to a concubine of Ieyasu TOKUGAWA or one of the most famous shogun. It is located on the foot of Mt. Udo, near the Shimizu port in Shizuoka city, Shizuoka JAPAN.
Also famous as the temple where a great writer rests : Chogyu TAKAYAMA.

There are two halls, one is “soshidô” or current main hall, is relatively newly built in 2003, has many features such as 220 of unique ceiling paintings, Buddha’s birth and Nirvana Paintings, golden buddhism decorations, and some music instruments used for buddhism services.

Another oen is “hondô” or old main hall, which has kayabuki or thatched roof. This roof was built in the shape of Mount Fuji. If you want to enjoy Sencha tasting with special match chocolate, here is the place for you. (With pay, Cash only) “Sencha” is the most typical way to drink green tea more than Matcha. I hope you find the peaceful moment with the tea there.

Note: You need to take off your shoes when you enter the main halls.

Oman-no-kata

Oman-no-kata was a concubine of Ieyasu TOKUGAWA, she was very religious and deeply devoted to the Nichiren sect, and she finacially supported Nichigon or a priest of Nichiren sect. When she past away in 1653, her body was buried in the Nonnon-ji temple in Yamanashi prefecture and this temple was built as a branch temple in 1668.

Oman-no-kata was the birth mother of Ieyasu’s 10th and 11th sons : Yorinobu and Yorifusa. After she past away, her sons were supported Nichiren sect temple financially for their mother. Thanks to them, the beautiful garden here was landscaped. It took about 10years to complete.

: Oman (1580-1653)

: Ieyasu TOKUGAWA (1543-1616)

The garden of Ryugeji with Mount Fuji

The Mount Fuji view from the eastern foot of Mount Udo here is breathtaking. (If the weather permits…)

In the precincts of Ryugeji temple, there is a beautiful Japanese garden. This garden was modeled after reduced size of Shizuoka. I hope you can find miniture size of Mt.Fuji, Miho-pine forest, Suruga bay, and Mt.Udo when you visit there.

Huge Cycas, National Natural monuments

Beside the main hall, there are huge cycas. They are registered as National Natural monuments in 1924. One of them were the oldest in Japan and it was believed that it’s about 1,100 years old. They were brought from China when this temple was built. Also, they are known as the one of the three most biggest cycas in Japan.

In addition to cycas, you can find a 300 years old cactus there. and behind the old main hall, there is a old Japanese cypress aged more than 800 years. Wow!

Chogyu TAKAYAMA

Chogyu Takayama (1871-1902) was a great writer : a thinker and literary critic representing the Meiji era. One of his famous historical novel is “Takiguchi Nyūdō”.
He stayed in Okitsu in Shizuoka for medical treatment in his last years. He then visited various temples among which the Ryugeji. Moved by the view, he wished to be buried in this place.

Later, a monument was erected in his honor : his tomb is facing the direction of Mount Fuji.

You can also visit the Chogyu Pavilion. In there, are exposed various letters and manuscript of Chogyu himself, as well as Nichiren buddhism related archives.