Jokoji

Standing at the foot of Mount Karita in the town of Obuse, Jokoji is an old temple of the Buzan school of the Shingon sect. Locals affectionately call it the Karita Yakushi, and it is known as a temple that wards off evil and misfortune. Its Yakushi hall, built in 1408 in the middle of the Muromachi period, is a National Important Cultural Property, and its simple, beautiful thatched roof is a highlight. Beloved also by those wishing for a good match, it goes by the alternate name Tsumagoi Yakushi.

Highlights

• The thatched Yakushi hall, built in 1408 and designated a National Important Cultural Property, with a dignified hip-and-gable roof.
• The stone steps of natural rock along the approach, which offer a mellow charm together with the local lore handed down here.
• Worship for warding off misfortune and evil, alongside its devotion as the Tsumagoi Yakushi for good matches; a local saying even runs, if you want a bride, come to Karita.
• A goma fire ritual held in the Yakushi hall on the first of each month, open to anyone to make a prayer.
• The countryside scenery of the four seasons spreading out at the foot of Mount Karita.

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring the surrounding fields and hills bud, offering a peaceful rural feel. In the fresh-green and autumn-foliage seasons, the contrast between the thatched Yakushi hall and the greenery or crimson leaves is lovely and very photogenic. Obuse is also famous as a land of chestnuts and fruit, so an autumn visit pairs nicely with fruit picking and a round of chestnut sweets.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 676 Karita, Obuse-machi, Kamitakai-gun, Nagano
• Access: About 30 minutes on foot from Obuse Station on the Nagano Dentetsu line; a loop bus around town is also available (operates seasonally)
• Hours: Grounds open at all times
• Admission: Free
• Parking: Available

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season and time: The fresh green of early summer and the foliage of late October to November are at their best; to catch the goma ritual, aim for the morning of the first of the month.
• Avoiding crowds: Central Obuse bustles in chestnut season, but the temple sits a little away in Karita and stays relatively quiet, so a morning visit is calm.
• Rough time needed: About 30 minutes to an hour for worship and a stroll of the steps and grounds; allow a half day if combining it with a town walk.
• Real spots nearby: The Hokusai-kan museum in central Obuse, long-established chestnut-sweet shops, and Gansho-in temple, with its Fukushima Masanori mausoleum and Hokusai ceiling painting, are within walking or cycling range.
• Budget sense: Worship is free, and even with chestnut sweets, a meal, and a rental bicycle you can enjoy a full day for a few hundred to a few thousand yen.

A Quick Tip

The climb to the Yakushi hall is up natural stone steps, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Since it is a little walk from the center of Obuse, pairing your visit with a stroll through town lets you better savor the quiet of the Karita countryside.

📚 Sources

The information about Jokoji was compiled by our editorial team from the temple guidance, Obuse Town tourism information, and interpretive signs on the grounds. The account of an old Shingon-shu Buzan-ha temple at the foot of Mount Karita whose Yakushi hall is an Important Cultural Property follows these public references. Because viewing hours and events change by year and season, please confirm the latest information from the temple or Obuse Town before your visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: Allow about 30 minutes to an hour combining worship at the Yakushi hall with a stroll of the grounds.
• What to prepare: You walk an approach at the foot of the mountain, so comfortable shoes are reassuring.
• Getting around: It is close to central Obuse, so you can go by car or on foot.
• Worship manners: Worship quietly at the Important Cultural Property Yakushi hall and take care not to touch the building.