Teishoji Temple is a historic Soto Zen temple in Maeyama, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Dogenzan. Surrounded by quiet natural scenery, the temple has long been a place of Buddhist faith and meditation, and is counted among the 100 Historic Temples of Shinshu.
The peaceful grounds are home to impressive historic buildings, stone monuments, and old trees. Together, they create an atmosphere in which visitors can experience the quiet beauty of traditional Japanese temple culture.
Teishoji was founded in 1521, during the Muromachi period, by Banno Teisho, the lord of Maeyama Castle. The temple was established as a memorial Buddhist service for his family: the seventh anniversary of the death of his father, Mitsutoshi, and the thirty-third anniversary of the death of his grandfather, Mitsunobu.
Teisho invited his uncle, the Buddhist monk Sekko Tokuchu, to serve as the founding priest. Historical records state that the temple was endowed with land worth 100 kanmon, providing the new temple with a substantial foundation.
Teishoji continued to develop as an important center of Soto Zen practice. During the Edo period, the temple received an official 15-koku land grant from Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty.
This recognition placed Teishoji among the temples that enjoyed official protection under the shogunate. The temple subsequently continued to preserve its religious traditions and cultural heritage while remaining closely connected with the local community.
Several buildings within the temple grounds are particularly important for their architectural and historical value. The Three-Story Pagoda, Main Gate, and Sanmon Gate display a distinctive combination of traditional Japanese architectural elements and Zen-style design.
These structures are designated as Nagano Prefecture Treasures, reflecting their significance as examples of historic temple architecture.
The temple’s Three-Story Pagoda is one of its most striking features. Its elegant proportions and traditional wooden construction evoke the architectural atmosphere of medieval Japan.
For visitors exploring Japanese temples, the pagoda offers an opportunity to appreciate the details of traditional craftsmanship as well as the spiritual environment for which Zen temples are known.
Teishoji is also associated with the literary history of Nagano. The grounds include the former residence of Toson Shimazaki, one of Japan’s most influential modern writers. Shimazaki spent time here, adding a literary dimension to the temple’s already rich history.
The grounds also contain a monument dedicated to the haiku poet Usuda Aro, as well as the Kaiten Monument, which commemorates those who lost their lives in war.
On elevated ground south of the Three-Story Pagoda stands a memorial dedicated to former students of Nozawa Kita High School who died during wartime.
The monument preserves the memory of people connected with the local educational community and serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of peace.
One of the temple’s most unusual legends concerns its founding monk. According to local tradition, the monk was born under extraordinary circumstances. His mother is said to have died while pregnant, but a baby’s cry was later heard from inside her grave.
When the grave was opened, the newborn child was discovered alive. However, a farmer’s hoe accidentally struck the baby’s eye during the rescue, leaving him blind in one eye.
The villagers came to affectionately call him “Mekko Osho,” meaning the one-eyed priest. The story has become one of the most memorable pieces of folklore associated with Teishoji.
Another story tells of a demon, or oni, that appeared while a monk was reciting Buddhist sutras at the temple. The monk used his Buddhist prayer beads to strike the oni and sever its arm.
After the oni repented, the monk returned the arm. In gratitude, the oni is said to have lifted a huge stone and presented it as a sign of appreciation. The stone became known as the Oni Stone, and its story continues to be passed down locally.
There is also some confusion regarding the mountain name of Teishoji. The temple is sometimes said to have been known as Odareyama, but this appears to have resulted from confusion with another former temple, Odareyama Ryukakuji, which once stood nearby.
Ryukakuji has since disappeared, but the mistaken association with its name has remained in some accounts. Teishoji’s actual mountain name is Dogenzan.
Today, Teishoji offers visitors a peaceful setting in which to encounter the history and aesthetics of Japanese Zen Buddhism. The combination of historic wooden architecture, literary monuments, memorials, legends, and natural scenery makes the temple a fascinating destination for travelers exploring the Saku area.
The quiet atmosphere is particularly suited to slowing down and appreciating the details of traditional Japanese temple grounds. Visitors can walk among the historic buildings while reflecting on the many generations of people who have gathered here for prayer, study, remembrance, and meditation.
Teishoji is approximately 30 minutes on foot from Nakagomi Station on the JR East Koumi Line.
From Sakudaira Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the temple is approximately 20 minutes by car. Driving or taking a taxi is convenient, especially for visitors exploring the wider Saku area.
With its centuries of history and serene natural surroundings, Teishoji is an atmospheric stop for travelers seeking the quieter side of Nagano—a place where Zen traditions, historic architecture, literature, local folklore, and memories of the past remain closely intertwined.