Hyuga Myokokuji is a historic Nichiren Buddhist temple located in Hososhima, Hyuga City, Miyazaki Prefecture. Its mountain name is Kofukuzan, and it belongs to the Koto lineage of Nichiren Buddhism. With a long history, valuable cultural properties and many legends associated with it, the temple offers visitors an opportunity to discover Japan’s religious and cultural heritage in a peaceful setting. It is particularly recommended for those interested in Japanese history and Buddhism.
The founding priest of Myokokuji was Saisho Ajari Nichigo, while its second patriarch was Satsuma Ajari Nitsuei. Nitsuei was the first person from Kyushu to become a Nichiren Buddhist priest and played an important role in the development of the religion in this region.
The Hososhima area, where Myokokuji is located, had long been associated with esoteric Buddhist mountain worship. A place of religious practice known as Myo-o-do, or the Hall of the Wisdom King, stood here. During the Kamakura period (1185–1333), a statue of Fudo Myo-o and guardian lion-dog statues were enshrined there. Remains associated with this early religious site can still be found today.
In 1331, a Buddhist priest named Nichino arrived in Hososhima to spread the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism. This event marked the first introduction of Nichiren Buddhism to Kyushu.
After receiving Nichino’s teachings, Satsuma Hoin, the local priest responsible for the existing religious site, converted Myo-o-do into a hall dedicated to the Lotus Sutra. This transformation became the starting point for the development of Myokokuji as a Nichiren Buddhist temple and helped establish it as a center of local religious faith.
During the Edo period (1603–1868), Hososhima Port occupied an important position as a stopping point for feudal lords from the domains of southern Kyushu traveling under the system of alternate attendance, known as sankin-kotai. The area also developed as territory directly controlled by the Tokugawa shogunate, known as tenryo.
As a result, Myokokuji came to be used as accommodation for officials of the shogunate. The temple gradually became familiar to local people by the name Myokokuji.
Yasui Sokken, a scholar active toward the end of the Edo period, also visited the temple, further increasing its recognition.
In 1872, the fifth year of the Meiji era, Myokokuji formally became affiliated with the Nichiren school of Buddhism, establishing its religious status. Although the temple subsequently belonged to different factions within Nichiren Buddhism, it continued to strengthen its ties with the local community.
During the postwar turmoil of the Showa period (1926–1989), many of the temple’s valuable treasures were lost. Fortunately, mandalas written by Nichigo and Nichiyo survived and continue to be carefully preserved today.
Myokokuji Temple Garden is a beautiful borrowed-scenery garden designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1933. Its landscaping style is associated with techniques passed down from the Nanboku-cho period (1336–1392), and the garden incorporates numerous Buddhist symbols.
Three artificial hills, a pond, an island floating in the center of the pond, a waterfall and the surrounding forest combine to express the Buddhist view of the universe. The hills represent the Three Realms, the cliffs and waterfall symbolize the defiled world, and the island in the pond represents the Pure Land. The bridge is regarded as a symbol of Buddhist teachings.
A pond forms the center of the garden, with a small island floating in its middle. Behind it, the forested slopes of Mount Komenoyama provide beautiful borrowed scenery, creating a sense of harmony between the garden and the surrounding natural landscape.
The garden is a typical example of a Buddhist garden, incorporating elements that symbolize the Three Realms, the Pure Land and the Sanzu River, the mythical river separating the world of the living from the afterlife in Japanese Buddhist belief.
Through the garden’s design, worshippers are said to have been able to deepen their understanding of Buddhist teachings and devote themselves to meditation and religious practice.
Myokokuji preserves a number of cultural properties of historical and religious significance. The principal treasures include:
The garden is designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty. Its distinctive landscape and Buddhist symbolism make it an important example of Japanese garden culture.
The temple grounds are home to a pair of ginkgo trees known as the Married Ginkgo Trees. They are estimated to be approximately 300 years old and are designated as preserved trees by Hyuga City.
Their impressive size and great age are particularly striking, allowing visitors to appreciate the vitality and longevity of these ancient trees.
The temple preserves mandalas written in the hands of Nichigo and Nichiyo. These works are valuable religious objects associated with the temple’s founding and early history.
Another important cultural property is a statue of Fudo Myo-o, a Buddhist wisdom king, which was kept as the personal Buddhist image of the Ito family.
Together, these cultural properties provide insight into the temple’s religious history and the development of Buddhism in the region.
Many legends and historical stories have been passed down at Myokokuji. They show that the temple has played an important role not only as a religious institution but also as a setting for significant events and encounters in Japanese history.
One well-known story tells how Nichiyo subdued the vengeful spirits of the Ito family. This episode has become part of the temple’s traditional lore.
Myokokuji is associated with the Battle of the Mimi River, a major conflict in the history of southern Kyushu. According to tradition, Shimazu Yoshihisa prayed for victory at the temple before the battle.
Hirano Kuniomi, a patriot active during the final years of the Edo period, is said to have entered the Buddhist priesthood at Myokokuji.
During the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, Prince Arisugawa Taruhito is said to have visited Myokokuji and viewed its garden.
Masaoka Shiki, one of Japan’s most famous haiku poets, also visited the temple and viewed its garden. The connection with figures such as Shiki and Hirano Kuniomi adds to Myokokuji’s historical significance.
Myokokuji holds various Buddhist ceremonies and traditional events throughout the year. These occasions are important to local residents and worshippers and are also opportunities for visitors to experience the area’s religious traditions.
The New Year prayer ceremony is held on the first day of the year. Worshippers gather to offer prayers for the year ahead.
The Star Festival ceremony is held around Setsubun, the traditional seasonal turning point marking the approach of spring. It is a Buddhist observance associated with prayers for protection and good fortune.
The Flower Festival celebrates the birth of the Buddha. It is held together with a grand festival dedicated to Kishimojin, a Buddhist deity traditionally worshipped for the protection of children and safe childbirth.
The Obon ceremony honors the spirits of ancestors. The event also includes a traditional spirit procession known as shoryonagashi, in which lanterns are sent off in remembrance of the deceased.
Oeshiki is an important annual ceremony commemorating the death of Nichiren, the founder of Nichiren Buddhism.
The temple holds a year-end ceremony involving water purification, followed by a ritual burning known as jotaki. These observances mark the end of the year and prepare the temple for the New Year.
The temple’s annual events are meaningful occasions for local residents and worshippers. In particular, the Obon ceremony and spirit lantern procession offer visitors an opportunity to encounter traditional local customs.
Myokokuji is located in the Hososhima district of Hyuga City, Miyazaki Prefecture, and is easily accessible from Hososhima Port.
Overlooking the port, the temple stands in a quiet setting that is well suited to meditation and historical exploration. Its garden is especially appealing to visitors interested in Japanese landscape design and offers a peaceful place to appreciate nature and reflect.
Hyuga Myokokuji is a historic temple where Buddhist faith, cultural heritage and local legends have been preserved over many centuries. Its origins date back to the introduction of Nichiren Buddhism to Kyushu in the 14th century, and its garden, designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty, provides a distinctive expression of Buddhist philosophy through landscape design.
Visitors can explore the temple’s cultural properties, learn about the historical figures associated with it and enjoy the tranquil scenery of its garden. Myokokuji is a rewarding destination for anyone wishing to discover the religious and cultural history of Hyuga.