1508 Karigome, Yokoze-machi, Chichibu-gun, Saitama Prefecture
Rating
Cost per person
¥500
Hochoji Temple, also known as Aokokeyama Hochoji (Pilgrimage Site #7), is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple located in Yokoze, Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture. Easily accessible from National Route 299, this temple features a spacious, paved parking area and a grand main hall said to be designed by Hiraga Gennai, a renowned Edo-era scholar. The temple grounds are well-maintained, showcasing stone statues of oxen, a nod to the temple's connection to the legend of Ushibuse-do, and offer views of Mt. Buko. Visitors can explore the main hall, admire the meticulously kept gardens, and visit the Toyokawa Inari shrine within the grounds. A visit to Hochoji Temple provides a serene and culturally rich experience, best enjoyed during the day to fully appreciate the architecture and surrounding landscape.