Buppō Shōryūji Temple is a historic temple of the Kōyasan Shingon Buddhist tradition in Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture. Its mountain name is Bessawa Shōgonzan, and its formal temple name is Daikokūzō-in. Locally known simply as Buppōji, the temple has played an important role in the religious and cultural history of the Suwa region for centuries.
The temple’s principal object of worship is a normally hidden statue of Dainichi Nyorai, the Cosmic Buddha of the Womb and Diamond Realms, while Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of healing, is enshrined as a secondary principal image. Numerous Buddhist ritual objects, scriptures, and historical documents dating from the Heian period through modern times have been preserved here, reflecting the temple’s importance as both a place of religious practice and Buddhist learning.
According to temple tradition, Buppō Shōryūji was founded in 806 by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, the military commander who served as Sei-i Taishōgun, together with the Jingūji temple associated with Suwa Taisha. The temple was originally called Jiganji and flourished as a subsidiary temple serving the Upper Shrine of Suwa Taisha.
During the Kōnin era, the renowned Buddhist monk Kūkai, also known as Kōbō Daishi, is said to have visited the area. He designated the Jingūji as a center for the propagation of Shingon Buddhism and Jiganji as a place of Buddhist scholarship. The temple subsequently became known as one of the leading Buddhist learning centers in Shinshu, the historic name for the region that is now Nagano Prefecture.
In 1352, the temple was restored by the monk Shunkai. In 1560, during the time of the monk Sonchō, it was moved to its present location and renamed Buppō Shōryūji.
During the Edo period, the temple received strong support from the Suwa Takashima Domain and served as a temple where prayers were offered for the peace, safety, and prosperity of the domain. It became an important center of faith for the local community.
Much of the temple was destroyed by a major fire during the Taishō period, including the main hall, priests’ quarters, and founder’s hall. Reconstruction subsequently progressed through the efforts of local worshippers and supporters.
In 1989, the Chieidō Hall was completed, adding a new landmark to the temple complex and helping preserve its historic presence for future generations.
Buppō Shōryūji houses numerous valuable cultural properties and religious treasures. Among the most significant is a collection of 600 volumes of the Daihannya-kyō, a major Buddhist scripture collection that was copied over approximately 250 years from the Kamakura period through the Muromachi period.
The temple also preserves numerous historic documents and Buddhist scriptures, as well as a Kamakura-period standing statue of Fudō Myōō, designated a Nagano Prefectural Treasure, and paintings of the Sixteen Benevolent Deities. Together, these treasures represent an important part of Shinshu’s Buddhist cultural heritage.
The temple grounds retain an imposing Sanmon Gate, which was formerly the main gate of the old Jingūji temple. Walking along the approach, visitors encounter a magnificent great ginkgo tree believed to be more than 500 years old. The tree is designated as a Suwa City Cultural Property.
This ginkgo is traditionally regarded as the male counterpart of a female ginkgo growing on the grounds of the Suwa family, the hereditary chief priestly family of the Upper Shrine of Suwa Taisha. Together, the two trees are affectionately known as the “Husband and Wife Ginkgo Trees.”
Beyond the main hall, visitors can walk through a beautiful Japanese strolling garden before reaching Fugendō Hall. The building was relocated here from Kōyasan Tokyo Betsuin in 1975. It was originally constructed in 1673 with a hōgyō-zukuri pyramidal roof, giving it a distinctive traditional appearance.
Inside is a statue of Fugen Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of universal virtue, which was formerly the principal image of the Fugendō Hall at the old Jingūji. According to tradition, the statue was donated in 1293 by Chiku Atsuyuki of the Suwa Shintō party as the Buddhist manifestation of Suwa Myōjin.
Buppō Shōryūji also preserves a statue of Fugen Bosatsu riding an elephant, designated a Nagano Prefectural Treasure. Formerly the principal image of Nyohōin at the old Jingūji, the statue provides another tangible connection between the worship of Suwa Ōmikami and Buddhist tradition.
Another notable structure on the grounds is Naritadō Hall, built in 1882. It was established after a sacred image associated with Naritasan Shinshōji was invited to the temple, symbolizing the development of new forms of religious devotion in the Suwa region during the Meiji period.
Local worshippers have traditionally visited the hall to pray for traffic safety and the safety and well-being of their families. The hall continues to welcome visitors seeking these blessings.
Buppō Shōryūji can be reached from JR Kamisuwa Station. Take a Suwa Bus from the station and get off at Shiga Shucchōjo-mae, from where the temple is approximately a 10-minute walk.
The quiet temple grounds offer a peaceful contrast to the lively tourist attractions around Lake Suwa. Surrounded by historic buildings, gardens, and old trees, the temple provides an opportunity to experience the deep religious traditions that have shaped the Suwa region.
Buppō Shōryūji is a remarkable temple whose history is closely intertwined with Suwa Taisha and the religious traditions of the Suwa region. For centuries, it served not only as a place of worship but also as a center of Buddhist scholarship, preserving scriptures, statues, and other cultural treasures.
Its historic gate, centuries-old ginkgo tree, traditional halls, Buddhist statues, and quiet garden offer visitors a chance to encounter a side of Suwa that extends beyond its famous lake and hot springs. For travelers interested in Japanese history, Buddhism, traditional architecture, and the spiritual culture of the Suwa region, Buppō Shōryūji is a rewarding place to visit.