It is said that Tocho-ji (東長寺) was dedicated to the Buddhist saint Kukai who built it in 806. In the temple cemetery Tadayuki (the second lord of the Kuroda clan in the Edo period [1602-1654]), Mitsuyuki (the third lord [1628-1707]) and Harutaka (the eighth lord [1754-1782]) are interred. They were originally buried in this temple and are still there. The latter Heian period (794-1185) wooden statue of Kannon inside the temple is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, as are the hexagonal building and graves at the city-designated level. Furthermore, the temple also contains the largest seated wooden statue of Buddha in Japan.
- 1 min read
Tochoji Temple in Hakata
Temple established by Buddhist monk Kukai in 806
![Tony Mariani Tony Mariani](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/347554577/240x240!/5811119967ba815c4bbc0174.jpg)
By Tony Mariani
Community writer
![Tocho-ji](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4557-29227/1000/fukuoka-tochoji-temple-hakata-city-29227.jpg)
Tocho-ji
![A place to purify yourself for your visit](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4557-29228/1000/fukuoka-tochoji-temple-hakata-city-29228.jpg)
A place to purify yourself for your visit
![The path to the largest wooden Buddha in Japan built in 1992](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4557-29229/1000/fukuoka-tochoji-temple-hakata-city-29229.jpg)
The path to the largest wooden Buddha in Japan built in 1992
![The largest wooden Buddha in Japan](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4557-29230/1000/fukuoka-tochoji-temple-hakata-city-29230.jpg)
The largest wooden Buddha in Japan (Photo: From the Fukuoka travel website)
![Kukai, otherwise known as Kobo Daishi, a saint of the Shingon Buddhist sect](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4557-29231/1000/fukuoka-tochoji-temple-hakata-city-29231.jpg)
Kukai, otherwise known as Kobo Daishi, a saint of the Shingon Buddhist sect
![The five storied pagoda at Tochoji Temple](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4557-29232/1000/fukuoka-tochoji-temple-hakata-city-29232.jpg)
The five storied pagoda at Tochoji Temple
![Inside the Tocho-ji compound](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4557-29233/1000/fukuoka-tochoji-temple-hakata-city-29233.jpg)
Inside the Tocho-ji compound
![Large prayer beads hang from the roof. Turning them brings devotees merit.](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4557-29234/1000/fukuoka-tochoji-temple-hakata-city-29234.jpg)
Large prayer beads hang from the roof. Turning them brings devotees merit.
![The pagoda from below](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4557-29235/1000/fukuoka-tochoji-temple-hakata-city-29235.jpg)
The pagoda from below
![The main hall of the temple](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4557-29236/1000/fukuoka-tochoji-temple-hakata-city-29236.jpg)
The main hall of the temple
![An incense burner stands in front of the entrance to Tocho-ji](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4557-29237/1000/fukuoka-tochoji-temple-hakata-city-29237.jpg)
An incense burner stands in front of the entrance to Tocho-ji
![A touching scene of antique Buddha statues that are still venerated today](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4557-29238/1000/fukuoka-tochoji-temple-hakata-city-29238.jpg)
A touching scene of antique Buddha statues that are still venerated today
![A detail of the tiling on the temple enclosure](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4557-29239/1000/fukuoka-tochoji-temple-hakata-city-29239.jpg)
A detail of the tiling on the temple enclosure
![The burial place for three samurai lords of the Kuroda clan](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/4557-29240/1000/fukuoka-tochoji-temple-hakata-city-29240.jpg)
The burial place for three samurai lords of the Kuroda clan
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