Rurikoji Temple (瑠璃光寺), located in Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a historic Buddhist temple founded in 1442 by Ouchi Morimi during the Muromachi period. The temple grounds, known as Kozan Park, are a popular destination for visitors to enjoy seasonal flowers and greenery along the walking paths.
The temple’s most iconic feature is its five-story pagoda, designated as a National Treasure of Japan. Standing at 31.2 meters tall, it is one of the tallest wooden pagodas in the country and a masterpiece of Muromachi-period architecture. Its elegant design, featuring a cypress bark roof and gracefully curved eaves, has earned it a place among Japan’s three most famous pagodas, alongside Daigoji Temple in Kyoto and Horyuji Temple in Nara.
The pagoda’s architecture is a blend of Japanese and Zen styles, with a simple yet refined aesthetic. Inside the first story, a wooden statue of Ouchi Yoshihiro and a statue of Amida Nyorai are enshrined, creating a serene atmosphere.
Rurikoji Temple offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty of each season, with cherry blossoms and plum blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant foliage in autumn, and snowy landscapes in winter. The temple grounds also house the Rurikoji Temple Museum, which exhibits artifacts related to the Ouchi clan and models of the pagoda, making it a highlight of any visit to Yamaguchi.
Getting there
From Yamaguchi Station to Rurikoji Temple:
| Bus | Yamaguchi Station ↓ Bocho Line ↓ 6 minutes (4 stops) Yamaguchi Kencho Mae ↓ Walk about 17 minutes ↓ Rurikoji Temple (Cost 180 yen) |
| Walk | About 32 minutes (2.4 km) |
Details
| Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Admission | Free |
| Phone | +81 83-922-2409 |
| Address | 7-1 Kozancho, Yamaguchi, 753-0081 |
| Resources | https://yamaguchi-tourism.jp/spot/detail_15401.html |
