Buddhist temple
Chōhō-ji
長保寺（ちょうほうじ）
Kainan, Wakayama Prefecture
A Tendai temple in Shimotsu-chō, Kainan, Wakayama Prefecture, whose principal image is Shaka Nyorai. Its main hall, Tahōtō pagoda and great gate, all National Treasures, survive, and as the family temple of the Kishū Tokugawa family it has the mausoleums of the domain lords on the mountain slope behind the main hall.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Prayers associated with this place
Principal image: Shaka Nyorai
History and things to know
According to the temple's tradition, it was founded in Chōhō 2 (1000) by Shōkū Shōnin at the request of Emperor Ichijō, and the temple's name comes from the era name. In the Kamakura period, the present temple buildings, including the main hall (1311), the Tahōtō pagoda (1357) and the great gate (1388), were completed. In Kanbun 6 (1666), Yorinobu, the first head of the Kishū Tokugawa family, made it the family temple and changed it to the Tendai school, and the mausoleums of the domain lords were built throughout the Edo period.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
The top page of the official website states that the slope behind the National Treasure main hall was damaged by heavy rain in June of Reiwa 5, and that visits are suspended for restoration work (goshuin are also suspended). Please check the latest situation on the official website before visiting.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 長保寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-21 確認）
This site is independent of the shrines, temples, and other websites mentioned. No partnership or endorsement is implied.