Hokekyoji 中山法華経寺

Kamakura-era temple, Nichiren's retreat

Hokekyoji, a Nichiren Buddhist temple in Ichikawa City, preserves Kamakura-era atmosphere. It's a large complex with a sando approach. When Nichiren was persecuted, Chiba clan members offered him a place to retreat. Two seminal Buddhist texts - Kanjin Honzon Sho and Rissho Ankoku Ron, are preserved here, where Nichiren wrote them. The main temple, Soshido, has a distinctive Hiyoku-Irimoya-zukuri - double hip and gable - design. It's one of only two in Japan. Ranged around Soshido are temples to Myoken and Buddhist concepts in Nichiren Buddhism. The atmosphere is much like Kamakura City's temple complexes. Some recommended times to visit are New Year, Hina Matsuri, and November 3rd when the documents are presented for viewing.