Founded During the Sengoku Period
The history of Chokoji dates back to 1527, during the turbulent Sengoku period. It was founded by Mimura Tadachika, the local land steward of Sema-no-Sho, as the family temple of the Shinano Mimura clan.
After the area came under the control of Takeda Shingen, the temple received protection from the powerful warlord. In 1561, Shingen himself issued a document prohibiting violence and disorder and ordered that the temple be protected.
Further guarantees of the temple’s territory followed in 1570 from Takeda Shingen and in 1575 from his son, Takeda Katsuyori. Under the patronage of the Takeda family, Chokoji developed into an important religious institution.
The temple was also affiliated with Shingetsuji Temple in Echizen Province. It is said that Oso Gei Zenji, a distinguished monk of Sojiji, one of the head temples of Soto Zen, visited the temple with his disciples and brought numerous Buddhist scriptures and religious texts.
From this period onward, Chokoji developed not only as a place of religious practice but also as a center of learning and culture, attracting monks and scholars.
Prosperity Under the Tokugawa Shogunate
During the Edo period, Chokoji continued to flourish under the protection of the Tokugawa shogunate. In 1649, Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun, granted the temple an estate valued at 15 koku of rice.
The temple continued to receive official documents bearing the shogun’s red seal, known as shuinjo. This system provided an important financial foundation and helped Chokoji develop a reputation as a temple of learning, where monks and students gathered for religious and scholarly study.
In 1908, however, a major fire destroyed almost all of the temple buildings except the main hall. Through the efforts of parishioners and local residents, the temple was rebuilt, and its present appearance was restored during the Taisho period.
Documents recording historical donations and other old manuscripts have been carefully preserved, providing valuable evidence of the temple’s long history.
The Historic Sanmon Gate
The temple grounds form a beautiful combination of historic architecture and natural surroundings. The Sanmon gate was constructed in 1828 and features elaborate wood carvings.
Particularly impressive are the karajishi, or Chinese guardian lion, carvings on the decorative nose-like supports known as kibana, together with the powerful dragon carving on the central beam. These details demonstrate the skill of craftsmen working during the late Edo period.
Passing through the gate, visitors enter a quiet temple precinct where the main hall stands peacefully among the trees. The surrounding woodland and bamboo groves add to the feeling of stepping into another era.
A Historic Koshin Stone Monument
Behind the Sanmon gate stands a Koshin-to stone monument bearing the date 1674. Koshin monuments are associated with traditional folk religious practices that once played an important role in local communities.
The monument provides an additional reminder that Chokoji was not only a temple of formal Buddhist practice but also an important center of faith for people living in the surrounding area from the early Edo period onward.
Chokoji Garden: A Designated Scenic Place
One of the temple’s most beautiful features is the Chokoji Garden, designated as a scenic place by Shiojiri City.
Covering approximately 1,100 square meters, the garden is a fine example of a strolling pond garden dating from the middle of the Edo period, particularly the 1772–1788 period spanning the An’ei and Tenmei eras.
The garden is arranged against a natural mountain slope. A long, narrow pond forms its central feature, with an elegant peninsula and a small turtle-shaped island placed within the water. The stone arrangements around the main stones and the pond’s retaining structures preserve techniques characteristic of Edo-period garden design.
The carefully balanced relationship between the pond, stones, vegetation, and surrounding hillside creates a refined landscape in which architecture and nature appear to merge.
Autumn Colors Reflected on the Pond
Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons to visit Chokoji Garden. As the surrounding trees turn shades of red and yellow, their colors are reflected across the surface of the pond, creating a serene and picturesque scene.
The garden has been well preserved, and its plantings blend naturally with the wooded hillside behind it. Each season brings a different character, making the garden an appealing place for quiet contemplation and landscape viewing throughout the year.
Convenient Access from Shiojiri
Chokoji is conveniently accessible from central Shiojiri. From Seba Station on the JR Chuo Main Line, visitors can take the Shiojiri City community bus on the Seba Line and get off at Chokoji-mae, immediately in front of the temple.
The temple is also approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Shiojiri Station, making it an easy addition to a sightseeing itinerary around the city.
Nearby attractions include the Hon-Seba History Village Museum, where visitors can learn more about the history and cultural heritage of the surrounding area.
A Quiet Place Where History Lives On
Seishozan Chokoji has survived the upheavals of the Sengoku period, the prosperity of the Edo era, and the destruction of the Meiji-period fire to remain an important part of Shiojiri’s cultural landscape.
Its historic buildings, preserved documents, traditional garden, and peaceful natural surroundings tell the story of centuries of religious devotion and community support.
For travelers interested in Japanese history, Zen Buddhism, traditional gardens, and historic architecture, Chokoji offers a rewarding and peaceful experience. Take time to walk through the grounds, admire the craftsmanship of the Sanmon gate, and sit quietly beside the pond garden to appreciate the atmosphere that has been carefully preserved through generations.