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Honmyoji Temple

Honmyōji

本明寺

Description:

This is where you will find Honmyokai's mummy, the oldest of all the sokushinbutsu in Tsuruoka City, yet the most well preserved of them all. Honmyokai's name was Togashi Yoshibei 富樫吉兵衛. He was once a samurai at the service of the Shonai Clan. When Yoshibei was 39, the lord of the Sakai family fell sick. Yoshibei and other servants went to Mt. Yudono to pray for his healing. But instead of going back to his master, Yoshibei decided to stay in Mt. Yudono because of the revelations he had there. The lord was furious and punished him for leaving his functions by canceling his marriage and confiscating his salary. Despite the harsh treatment, Yoshibei decided to enter Churenji Temple as a disciple monk and chose the name of Honmyokai to mark the start of his new life.

He became a sokushinbutsu in 1683.

Gallery:

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Practical Information:

Area: Asahi


Distance from the station: 25 minutes (by car)


Type: Spiritual


Basic Info


Entrance fee: Free


Open hours:  Opens on reservation only (by phone)


Address:  Uchino-388 Higashiiwamoto Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0402


Phone number: (+81)235-53-2269 (Japanese only, contact us for language assistance)

Around there:

Dainichibo Temple

The temple that entombs the mummy of Shinnyokai.

Kuwadai Sakura Park

One thousand cherry trees in Asahi region.

Hiking trails:

Rokujurigoe-Kaido: From Churenji to Dainichibo Temple

Rokujurigoe-Kaido: From Churenji to Dainichibo Temple

The road that connects two of the most important temples in Mt. Yudono's history, each entombing a Sokushinbutsu mummy.

Rokujurigoe-Kaido: From Honmyoji to Churenji

Rokujurigoe-Kaido: From Honmyoji to Churenji

The starting point of the Rokujurigoe-Kaido pilgrimage to Mt. Yudono.

On the Map:

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