Sep 1, 2014 - 1 min read

Kai-Zenkoji

Kofu's best known temple looms above the vineyards

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

View of main hall framed by the gate

One of the gate guardians

Beautiful pine trees lean over the path

One of the statues is playing hide and seek!

Lilies bloomed in the summer gardens

View of the gate from the incense burner

A very long pine branch had been trained across the front of the temple

Intricate wood carvings decorated the temple eaves

The tall doors of the temple stood open

The paint on the temple was worn and flaking

This statue of Buddha seems to be blessing the flowers

Kai-Zenkoji had one of the clearest ponds I've ever seen

The pond contained many koi, but there was one very beautiful golden koi

View of Kai-Zenkoji over the cemetery

There are many vineyards around the temple

There are two temples named Zenkoji, one in Nagano, and one in Kofu in Yamanashi. The latter is usually called Kai-Zenkoji (Kai is the old name for that part of Yamanashi.) This beautiful and distinctive temple was established by samurai hero Takeda Shingen in 1565. The main hall is very large, and you can see it rising above the area's vineyards from far away. It has one of the cleanest, clearest ponds I've ever seen, containing an excellent collection of large and beautiful koi.

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Cathy Cawood

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

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Mandy Bartok

Mandy Bartok 10 years ago

I love the opening photo, Cathy. What a peaceful place!

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Cathy Cawood

Cathy Cawood Photographer 10 years ago

Thank you Mandy! It WAS peaceful in August, but I went there last Sunday and you could hardly move because of the Spring Festival crowds!

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