Jorokuji, a Tranquil Ancient Temple of Autumn Colors in Tokushima City

Standing quietly by the Katsuura River in the southern outskirts of Tokushima city, Jorokuji is an ancient temple said by temple tradition to have been founded in the year 650, and because it preserves so many cultural properties it is also called the Horyuji of Awa. Originally a temple of the Tendai and Shingon lineage, it was revived in the late fifteenth century when Hosokawa Shigeyuki, the military governor of Awa, invited Kanaoka Yoken and reestablished it as a temple of the Soto Zen school. Its seated image of the holy Kannon, from which it takes its name, is a dignified figure about three point one meters tall, designated an Important Cultural Property of the nation. Because it lies off the main pilgrimage circuit, visitors are few, making it a precious hidden retreat within the city where one can savor history and nature at ease amid the greenery, and it also serves as the twenty fourth temple of the Awa Chichibu Kannon circuit.

Highlights

• The dignified wooden seated Kannon image, about three point one meters tall and designated an Important Cultural Property of the nation
• The many venerable halls, including the gate, main hall, Kannon hall and sutra repository designated Important Cultural Properties of the nation
• The dignified precinct and historic grounds, praised as the Horyuji of Awa
• The vivid colors of autumn from the avenue of maples along the approach toward the gate

Access and Basic Information

• Location: Jorokucho, Tokushima city, Tokushima
• By car: About twenty to thirty minutes from JR Tokushima Station, set along the Katsuura River in the southern part of the city
• By bus: Buses run from in front of Tokushima Station toward Joroku, though service is limited so check in advance
• As a place to savor history quietly, confirm the areas and hours open to visitors through on site or official information
• The autumn foliage season offers an especially calm atmosphere

Practical Travel Notes

• Best season: Late November into early December when the autumn leaves reach their peak is especially beautiful, while the young leaves of spring and the green groves of summer are also refreshing
• Time of day: A weekday morning with few people is recommended, letting you savor the stillness of the grounds at leisure
• Time needed: Allow about thirty minutes to one hour to tour the halls and garden
• Nearby real spots: The nature along the Katsuura River and, in central Tokushima, Mount Bizan and the Awa Odori Kaikan are within a short drive, easy to combine with city sightseeing
• Budget: Confirm the details of visiting through official or on site sources. A car is convenient from the city, and check parking availability locally

A Quick Tip

Visit on a weekday morning when few people are about and you can have the stillness of the grounds to yourself. Walking slowly while gazing at the historic halls praised as the Horyuji of Awa offers a soothing interval far from the rush of daily life.

📚 Sources

This article draws mainly on the history published on site by Jorokuji and the cultural property materials and sightseeing information of Tokushima city and Tokushima Prefecture on the halls and images designated Important Cultural Properties of the nation. It also reflects the interpretive signs in the precinct. The areas and hours open to visitors and bus frequency may change, so please confirm with the official information of Jorokuji or Tokushima city before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: Thirty minutes to one hour to tour the halls and garden.
• What to bring: Comfortable shoes for the grounds; confirm the details of visiting on site.
• How to get around: About twenty to thirty minutes by car from JR Tokushima Station; buses run but are infrequent, so check in advance.
• Time of day: A weekday morning with few people is recommended; the foliage peaks from late November to early December.
• Note: As a place to savor history quietly, follow the manners of visiting and tour quietly.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Location: 32 Joryo, Joroku-cho, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture (on the left bank of the Katsuura River)
• Telephone: 088-645-0334
• Admission: When cultural properties are put on special display, admission is 500 yen per person
• Parking: 20 spaces for ordinary cars (parking is also possible along the embankment), and large vehicles can park along the embankment
• Access: Take the Tokushima Bus bound for "Hata", "Gotaki" or "Okubo" and get off at "Joroku-kita", right by the temple / about a 40-minute walk from Jizobashi Station on the JR Mugi Line / by car from Tokushima Interchange via National Route 11, National Route 55 and Prefectural Route 212
• Autumn leaves: The maples along the approach from the first gate to the sanmon gate are usually at their best from late November to early December

* The regular visiting hours and admission fee, and whether the blood-stained ceiling is open to view, are not officially published.

(Sources: Tokushima City official tourism site "Fun!Fun! Tokushima", Tokushima City official website, Tokushima Prefecture tourism information site "Awa Navi")