The temple that guards
Kokura Castle's northeast gate Tohokuzan Enmeiji · Obaku Zen · Kitakyushu, Japan

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A working temple, not a museum

Enmeiji sits on a quiet slope in Kokura, ten minutes from the shinkansen station and a world away from it. It was rebuilt in 1711 by the lord of Kokura Domain to guard the kimon — the northeast “demon gate” through which misfortune was believed to enter the castle town. Three centuries later the priest still opens the hall each morning, families still come for memorial services, and visitors are welcome to sit, walk the grounds, and take part.

Three ways to spend time hereWhat you can do

Zazen meditation at Enmeiji Temple
Zazen & Shakyo

Sit, or copy a sutra

An hour of seated Zen meditation, guided from the beginning, or an afternoon copying the Heart Sutra with brush and ink. 1,000 yen per person, from one guest, by reservation.

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Goshuin seal of the Nio guardian
Goshuin

Receive a temple seal

Two designs are brushed here: the muscular Nio guardians of the gate, and Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion. 500 yen each, at the temple office.

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Bamboo lanterns lit in the temple grounds
November

See the bamboo lanterns

Once a year the grounds fill with hundreds of hand-cut bamboo lanterns. Light spills through the notches in the stalks and the whole hillside changes character after dark.

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Ungyo, the closed-mouthed Nio guardian

Guarding
the threshold

Two Kongo Rikishi stand at the gate.
One with the mouth open, one closed — the first and last sound, beginning and end.

Agyo, the open-mouthed Nio guardian

Twelve centuries, two fires,
one continuous line

The temple traces its founding to the year 802, was rebuilt as the castle's guardian in 1711, burned in the Kokura War of 1866, and was raised again on this hillside in the following decades. The Kannon statues rescued from the ashes are still here.

Read the full history

The grounds of Enmeiji Temple

Before you comeVisiting essentials

Admission
Free. There is no entrance charge and no ticket to buy.
The grounds
No fixed opening or closing time. The buildings are also the priest's family home, so please come in daylight and treat the place as somewhere people live.
Temple office
9:00–17:00. This is where goshuin seals are received and where to ask for anything.
Reservations
Required for zazen and sutra copying. Phone +81-93-531-6177 or use the contact form.
Language
Services are conducted in Japanese. Staff do not speak English fluently, but simple English and a translation app work fine, and you are genuinely welcome.
Getting here
About 10 minutes by taxi from JR Kokura Station, or a 3-minute walk from the Akasaka bus stop. Parking for four cars.
Etiquette
Bow lightly at the gate, keep your voice low near the main hall, and ask before photographing people or the altar. Funerals and memorial services may be in progress.
Access & directions

Tohokuzan Enmeiji Temple

4-2-18 Kamitomino, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 802-0022, Japan
Tel: +81-93-531-6177

Detailed directions