Jukakuji Temple (Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture) Complete Guide | History, Access, and Event Information for the Only Temple of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji School
Located in Honjo, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, Jukakuji Temple is a temple of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji school, with Nishi Honganji Temple in Kyoto as its head temple. While Ashikaga City has over 100 Buddhist temples, Jukakuji Temple is the only Jodo Shinshu Honganji temple in the city, serving as a center of local faith. This article provides detailed information useful for those considering a visit to Jukakuji Temple, including its history, characteristics, annual events, access methods, and information on its cemetery and ossuary.
Basic Information about Jukakuji Temple
Temple Overview
Official Name: Akashi-zan Jukakuji Temple
Sect: Jodo Shinshu Honganji School (Nishi Honganji School)
Principal Image: Amida Buddha
Chief Priest: Sato Jun’ei
Address: 3-2055 Honjo, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture 326-0808
Phone: 0284-21-4407
FAX: 0284-21-6040
Jukakuji Temple is also affectionately known as “Akeshi no Sato” and engages in various activities as a temple open to the community. As the only base of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji School in Ashikaga City, it maintains deep ties with Honganji Temple in Kyoto while spreading the teachings of Amida Buddha to the local people.
About the Jodo Shinshu Honganji School
The Jodo Shinshu Honganji School is a Buddhist sect founded by Shinran Shonin, with its head temple being Nishi Honganji in Kyoto. It teaches that by chanting “Namu Amida Butsu,” everyone can be equally saved by the power of Amida Buddha’s vow.
Based on the teachings of Jodo Shinshu, Jukakuji Temple conducts Buddhist services such as funerals, memorial services, and perpetual memorial services, and continues to convey the significance of Buddhism in modern society through regular Dharma talks and Buddhist lectures.
History and Origins of Jukakuji Temple
Origins of the Temple
The temple’s mountain name, “Akashiyama,” is deeply connected to its history. The Honjo district of Ashikaga City has long been a region where Buddhist culture flourished, and Jukakuji Temple has played an important role as a center for the propagation of Jodo Shinshu in this area.
While there are several Jodo Shinshu temples in Tochigi Prefecture, in Ashikaga City, Jukaku-ji Temple is the only Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha temple, and even including the Jodo Shinshu Otani-ha (Higashi Honganji-ha), there are only two such temples, making it a rare existence. Therefore, Jukaku-ji Temple is an important place of faith for Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha followers in Ashikaga City and the surrounding areas.
Community Involvement
Jukaku-ji Temple actively promotes community interaction under the name “Akeshi no Sato,” opening the temple not merely as a religious facility but as a place for community interaction. Through various events and activities, the temple strives to create an environment where even those unfamiliar with Buddhism can easily visit.
Annual Events and Memorial Services
Following the traditions of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha, Jukaku-ji Temple holds various memorial services and events throughout the year.
Gōtan-e (Birthday Celebration)
Gōtan-e is a celebration of the birth of Shinran Shōnin. Shinran Shōnin was born in Kyoto in 1173 (Jōan 3). Every year, Jūkaku-ji Temple holds a memorial service to commemorate the saint’s birthday, providing an opportunity to relearn his teachings.
The Gōtan-e includes not only a memorial service but also Buddhist lectures and time for interaction with attendees, allowing for a deeper understanding of Shinran Shōnin’s life and teachings.
Hōon-kō (Memorial Service)
Hōon-kō is considered the most important memorial service in Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism. Held around November 28th (lunar calendar), the anniversary of Shinran Shōnin’s death, it is a service expressing gratitude and appreciation to the saint.
At Jukaku-ji Temple’s Hoonko service, a solemn Buddhist ceremony is held in the main hall, and parishioners and local residents gather to learn the teachings of Shinran Shonin and share the joy of chanting the Buddha’s name. Hoonko is the most important event of the year for Jodo Shinshu temples, and attracts many worshippers.
Other Annual Events
In addition to the Buddha’s Birthday and Memorial Services, Jukaku-ji Temple also holds the following events:
- Shushō-e: A Buddhist service to welcome the New Year
- Higan-e: A memorial service for ancestors, centered around the spring and autumn equinoxes
- Urabon-e: A memorial service for ancestors held during the Obon period
- Joya-e: A memorial service held on New Year’s Eve
For detailed dates and participation information for these events, please contact Jukaku-ji Temple directly or check their official website (https://www.akeshinosato.com/).
Goshuin (Temple Seal) and Goshuincho (Seal Book) Information
Jodo Shinshu and Goshuin
Generally, Jodo Shinshu temples do not typically issue Goshuin. This is because the doctrines of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism are based on the idea of salvation through the power of Amida Buddha’s original vow, and do not emphasize ascetic practices or accumulating merit.
However, in recent years, with the increasing number of people seeking Goshuin (temple stamps) as souvenirs of temple visits, some Jodo Shinshu temples now offer them as commemorative items.
About Goshuin at Jukaku-ji Temple
We recommend checking with Jukaku-ji Temple in advance regarding the issuance of Goshuin. Your desire to cherish your connection with the temple and to commemorate your visit will be respected, so please feel free to inquire.
Phone: 0284-21-4407 (Please check the reception hours in advance)
Access and Transportation Information
Access by Train
Jukaku-ji Temple is accessible from several stations.
From JR Ryomo Line “Ashikaga Station”
- Distance: Approx. 2.5km
- Walking: Approx. 30 minutes
- Taxi: Approx. 7 minutes
- Bus: Ashikaga City local bus available (bound for Honjo)
From Tobu Isesaki Line “Ashikaga-shi Station”
- Distance: Approx. 3km
- Walking: Approx. 35 minutes
- Taxi: Approx. 10 minutes
- Bus: Ashikaga City local bus available
From Tobu Isesaki Line “Yashu-Yamabe Station”
- Distance: Approx. 2km
- Walking: Approx. 25 minutes
- Taxi: Approx. 5 minutes
Access by Car
From Kita-Kanto Expressway
- Approx. 10 minutes from Ashikaga IC
- Approx. 15 minutes from Sano-Tanuma IC
From Tohoku Expressway
- Approximately 25 minutes from Sano-Fujioka Interchange
Parking
Jukakuji Temple has a parking lot for visitors. It may get crowded during memorial services and events, so please allow ample time for your visit. For details about parking, please contact the temple.
Nearby Facilities
Several temples, including Horakuji Temple (approximately 199m), are located near Jukakuji Temple. Ashikaga City is known as the “Learning Capital of Bando” and is home to many historical and cultural assets, such as Ashikaga School and Bannaji Temple. We recommend combining your visit to Jukakuji Temple with a historical stroll through Ashikaga City.
Cemetery, Perpetual Memorial Service, and Columbarium Information
About Jukakuji Temple’s Cemetery
Jukakuji Temple manages a cemetery for its parishioners. Based on the teachings of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect, we provide a carefully maintained cemetery environment as a place to remember the deceased and honor ancestors.
Those wishing to use a cemetery plot should first consult with Jukaku-ji Temple. We will provide detailed information regarding plot availability, usage conditions, and costs.
About Perpetual Memorial Services
In modern society, more and more people are choosing perpetual memorial services for reasons such as having no successor to the grave, living far away and finding it difficult to visit, or not wanting to burden their children.
Jukaku-ji Temple also offers perpetual memorial services, with the temple taking responsibility for continuing the memorial services in perpetuity. Various plans are available, including options where remains are interred in an individual grave for a certain period before being transferred to a communal grave. You can choose according to your family’s situation and wishes.
About Columbariums
A columbarium is a facility for indoor interment of cremated remains. It offers the advantages of being able to visit regardless of the weather and requiring less maintenance. For information regarding Jukaku-ji Temple’s columbarium, please contact the temple directly regarding facilities and usage conditions.
About Costs
The costs for cemetery plots, perpetual memorial services, and columbariums vary depending on the plan and conditions selected. For detailed information on costs, please contact Jukakuji Temple directly to discuss the best plan tailored to your family’s circumstances and budget.
Phone: 0284-21-4407
Funeral and Memorial Service Consultations
About Funerals
Jukakuji Temple conducts funerals according to the rituals of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect. A Jodo Shinshu funeral is a ceremony celebrating the deceased’s attainment of Buddhahood and rebirth in the Pure Land through the power of Amida Buddha’s vow.
We will carefully discuss the format, scale, and costs of the funeral, respecting the wishes of the bereaved family. We also offer 24-hour consultation, even in the event of a sudden bereavement, so please call us first.
About Memorial Services
Memorial services are ceremonies held on the anniversary of the deceased’s death or on other anniversaries. In Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, memorial services are held annually, including the 7th day, 49th day, 1st anniversary, 3rd anniversary, 7th anniversary, 13th anniversary, 17th anniversary, 25th anniversary, 33rd anniversary, and 50th anniversary.
Jukaku-ji Temple conducts memorial services at your home or in the temple’s main hall. Please feel free to contact us regarding scheduling and preparations for memorial services, as well as arrangements for the post-service meal (otoki).
Features and Charms of Jukaku-ji Temple
The Only Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha Temple in Ashikaga City
The most distinctive feature of Jukaku-ji Temple is that it is the only Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha temple in Ashikaga City. Even including the Jodo Shinshu Otani-ha, there are only two such temples, making it an invaluable center of faith for Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha followers in Ashikaga City and the surrounding areas.
A Temple Open to the Community: “Akeshi no Sato”
Jukaku-ji Temple, affectionately known as “Akeshi no Sato,” actively promotes community interaction. It operates not merely as a religious facility, but as a place where local people can gather, learn, and interact.
Through regular Buddhist lectures, Dharma talks, and seasonal events, it provides opportunities for even those unfamiliar with Buddhism to easily participate. Through these efforts, Jukaku-ji Temple contributes to the revitalization of the local community.
Connection with Kyoto’s Nishi Hongan-ji Temple
Jukaku-ji Temple is a Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha temple, with Kyoto’s Nishi Hongan-ji Temple (officially Ryukoku-zan Hongan-ji) as its head temple. While maintaining strong ties with the head temple, it transmits the teachings of Shinran Shonin to the present day.
Members are also offered opportunities to visit the head temple, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the history and traditions of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism by visiting Nishi Hongan-ji in Kyoto.
Manners and Mindset for Visiting a Temple
Etiquette for Visiting a Temple
This section introduces the basic etiquette for visiting a Jodo Shinshu temple.
- Bow at the Temple Gate: When passing through the temple gate (sanmon), the entrance to the temple, bow before entering the grounds.
- Worship at the Main Hall: When entering the main hall, remove your shoes and arrange them neatly. Before the principal image of Amida Buddha, join your hands in prayer and chant “Namu Amida Butsu.”
- Offering a Coin: In Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, offerings are considered “donations” to Buddha. There are no set amounts; please offer with gratitude.
- Bow Upon Exiting: When leaving the temple grounds, bow at the temple gate before exiting.
Regarding Attire
For a normal visit, no special attire is required. However, when attending memorial services or funerals, formal attire or mourning attire is appropriate.
Regarding Photography
It is advisable to obtain permission from the temple before taking photographs on the temple grounds or in the main hall. In particular, please refrain from taking photographs during memorial services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the sect of Jukaku-ji Temple?
A1: Jukaku-ji Temple is a temple of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect (Nishi Honganji sect). It belongs to a Buddhist sect with Nishi Honganji Temple in Kyoto as its head temple and Shinran Shonin as its founder. It is the only Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect temple in Ashikaga City.
Q2: Can I request memorial services or funerals even if I am not a temple parishioner?
A2: Jukaku-ji Temple accepts consultations from people who are not parishioners. If you wish to have a funeral or memorial service conducted according to the Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect, please contact us by phone (0284-21-4407) first.
Q3: Is there parking available?
A3: Yes, Jukakuji Temple has a parking lot for visitors. It can get crowded during memorial services and events, so please allow ample time for your visit. For details, please contact the temple.
Q4: How much does perpetual memorial service cost?
A4: The cost of perpetual memorial service varies depending on the plan and conditions selected. There are various plans available, including options for individual burial for a certain period before communal burial. For details, please contact Jukakuji Temple directly.
Q5: Can I visit the temple?
A5: Yes, you can visit the temple grounds. However, there may be times when visits are difficult, such as during memorial services, so we recommend checking by phone in advance. Advance reservations are required if you wish to visit the cemetery or columbarium.
Q6: How long does it take to get there from the nearest station?
A6: It’s about a 30-minute walk from Ashikaga Station on the JR Ryomo Line, and about a 25-minute walk from Yashu-Yamabe Station on the Tobu Isesaki Line. If you are taking a taxi, it takes approximately 7 minutes from Ashikaga Station and approximately 5 minutes from Yashu-Yamabe Station.
Q7: Where can I check the schedule of annual events?
A7: Detailed schedules of annual events can be found on the official website of Jukakuji Temple (https://www.akeshinosato.com/event). You can also contact the temple directly.
Q8: Can I get a Goshuin (temple stamp)?
A8: While Jodo Shinshu temples generally do not issue Goshuin, please contact Jukakuji Temple directly regarding their policy. We also accept consultations regarding commemorative items for your visit.
Summary
Jukakuji Temple is a Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha temple located in Honjo, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture. As the only Honganji-ha temple in the city, it serves as a center of local faith. Affectionately known as “Akeshinosato,” it is a temple open to the community, holding various events and activities throughout the year.
Beyond important Buddhist ceremonies such as the Buddha’s Birthday and memorial services, we continue to pass on the teachings of Shinran Shonin to the present day through daily Dharma talks and Buddhist lectures. Furthermore, we have a system in place to support you through various stages of life, including funerals, memorial services, perpetual memorial services, and cemetery management.
The temple is easily accessible from JR Ryomo Line’s Ashikaga Station and Tobu Isesaki Line’s Ashikaga-shi Station and Yashu-Yamabe Station, and is conveniently located for those traveling by car. Parking is also available, making it easy to visit.
For inquiries regarding visits to Jukaku-ji Temple, consultations about funerals and memorial services, and inquiries about cemeteries and perpetual memorial services, please feel free to contact the temple.
Jukakuji Temple (Akashiyama Jukakuji Temple)
3-2055 Honjo, Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture 326-0808
Phone: 0284-21-4407
FAX: 0284-21-6040
Official Website: https://www.akeshinosato.com/
As the only Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha temple in Ashikaga City, Jukakuji Temple will continue to walk alongside the local community and pass on the teachings of Amida Buddha.
