Ryūkōji Temple (龍口寺)

Main Hall of Ryukoji Temple

Chozusha (water purification hall)

Located close to Enoshima, one Fujisawa's major tourist attraction, is Ryukoji Temple (龍口寺), officially Jakkozan Ryukoji (寂光山龍口寺), a Buddhist temple of the Nichiren Shu sect.

The origins of the temple trace back to the Tatsunokuchi Persecution (龍ノ口法難), an incident in 1271 in which Nichiren (1222–1282), a Buddhist priest and the founder of the sect, was nearly executed. In 1260, Nichiren presented Rissho Ankokuron (On the Proper Establishment of the Righteous State and the Peace of the Nation) to the Kamakura shogunate, urging that adherence to Hokekyo (the teachings of the Lotus Sutra) would bring peace to the nation and salvation to the people. The treatise was ignored, and its message angered the authorities, leading to Nichiren's arrest in 1271.

Marker at the former execution ground

He was taken to Tatsunokuchi for execution. The cave, Goreikutsu (御霊窟), where Nichiren was imprisoned while the authorities were preparing the execution still remains. According to legend, a brilliant light resembling a full moon flew toward the execution site from the direction of Enoshima causing the executioner to tremble and fall to the ground in fear. The execution was called off and Nichiren was exiled to Sado.

Goreikutsu

In 1337, Nichiren's direct disciple Nichibo built a hall on the site, enshrining a statue of Nichiren and the stone on which he is said to have been seated prior to the attempted execution. This hall later became Ryukoji Temple.

Photography inside the temple buildings is prohibited.

Sanmon (山門)

The sanmon (temple gate), built of zelkova wood with a copper-sheet roof, was completed in 1864. Its wooden carvings depict scenes from classical Chinese tales.

Daishoin (Grand Study Hall) (大書院)

This building was originally constructed in the early Meiji period (1868–1912) by the Kubota family, who operated a sericulture (silk-reeling) business in Matsushiro, Shinshu (present-day Matsushiro area in Nagano Prefecture). It was relocated to Ryukoji Temple in 1935 and converted into a grand study hall.

Bell Tower (鐘楼堂)

This bell tower was built in 1969 to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Tatsunokuchi Persecution. The bell is named Enju no Kane (延寿の鐘), or "Bell of Longevity," reflecting prayers for long life, good health, and peace.

Five-Storied Pagoda (五重塔)

Five-Storied Pagoda

Behind the temple's Main Hall is a five-story pagoda completed in 1910 as a symbol of the inheritance of Buddhist culture and faith. It has been recognized as one of the "100 Best Architectural Sites in Kanagawa Prefecture."

Shichimen-do (七面堂)

This hall enshrines Shichimen Daimyojin (Shichimen Tennyo), a deity from Mount Shichimen in Minobu who has long been revered as a guardian deity protecting devotees of the Lotus Sutra and warding off calamities. A monthly festival has been held here on the 19th day of each month since the early Edo period (1603–1868).

Stupa (Buddhist Reliquary) (仏舎利塔)

On Mount Katase is a stupa, built in 1970, housing Buddha's relics received from Prime Minister Nehru of India.

Kyohachi Inari Shrine (経八稲荷堂)

Located to the left of the Main Hall, is a local Inari shrine.