I almost missed seeing this Kamakura Era temple. Setting out to explore Kofu by electric bicycle, I started the day off with Takeda Shrine, and went to about ten different temples and shrines including fabulous Kai-Zenkoji. I was riding along a hill road looking down over vineyards when I spied a temple roof. My first thought was "I've seen enough temples today", but the I decided to have a quick look, and I'm glad I did! There is a beautiful kare-san-sui garden with some really great rocks. There is also a pond, and a pleasant rest area styled like a traditional Japanese room complete with hanging scroll and flower arrangement.
- 1 min read
Toko-ji in Kofu
Beautiful dry garden with magnificent standing rocks
![Cathy Cawood Cathy Cawood](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/1713/240x240!/61d020bdef751f611f5e3c02.jpg)
By Cathy Cawood
Community writer
![The sand resembles the ocean lapping at the shore](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15086-90390/1000/yamanashi-tokoji-in-kofu-90390.jpg)
The sand resembles the ocean lapping at the shore
![Rock sentinels in the kare-san-sui garden](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15086-90391/1000/yamanashi-tokoji-in-kofu-90391.jpg)
Rock sentinels in the kare-san-sui garden
![Paving stones set in white sand resemble a river with rocks](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15086-89999/1000/yamanashi-tokoji-in-kofu-89999.jpg)
Paving stones set in white sand resemble a river with rocks
![Traditionally styled open sided room - a rest area](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15086-90395/1000/yamanashi-tokoji-in-kofu-90395.jpg)
Traditionally styled open sided room - a rest area
![Ripple design in the sand](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15086-90392/1000/yamanashi-tokoji-in-kofu-90392.jpg)
Ripple design in the sand
![Arrangement with huge rock and small statues](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15086-89996/1000/yamanashi-tokoji-in-kofu-89996.jpg)
Arrangement with huge rock and small statues
![Wooden building with gracefully shaped roof](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15086-90007/1000/yamanashi-tokoji-in-kofu-90007.jpg)
Wooden building with gracefully shaped roof
![Blue bell-flowers beside the path](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15086-90000/1000/yamanashi-tokoji-in-kofu-90000.jpg)
Blue bell-flowers beside the path
![Stone lantern among trees](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15086-90002/1000/yamanashi-tokoji-in-kofu-90002.jpg)
Stone lantern among trees
![Lotuses in pots in front of the main hall](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15086-90393/1000/yamanashi-tokoji-in-kofu-90393.jpg)
Lotuses in pots in front of the main hall
![Toko-ji's pond is shaped like the ideogram for 'dragon'](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15086-90394/1000/yamanashi-tokoji-in-kofu-90394.jpg)
Toko-ji's pond is shaped like the ideogram for 'dragon'
![Roof framed by bell tower](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15086-89997/1000/yamanashi-tokoji-in-kofu-89997.jpg)
Roof framed by bell tower
![The bell tower stands beside a gate](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15086-89995/1000/yamanashi-tokoji-in-kofu-89995.jpg)
The bell tower stands beside a gate
![Gate in the wall around Toko-ji](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15086-89994/1000/yamanashi-tokoji-in-kofu-89994.jpg)
Gate in the wall around Toko-ji
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