A Historic Site with a Garden and Tea Room Founded by a Poet

Togeppo Saioku-ji Temple

Step into an otherworldly, 500-year-old temple where the legacy of the renowned poet Sōchō lives strong.

Togeppo Saioku-ji Temple is a historic site that preserves the legacy of Izumigaya. Its bamboo grove is said to have been transplanted from Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan at the time. The name Togeppo, meaning “where the moon rises from the mountain,” comes from the stunning sight of the moon emerging from its eastern hills.

The stunning garden, visible from the temple’s main hall, is designated as a National Scenic and Historic Site. Designed in the traditional shakkei (borrowed scenery) style, it incorporates the surrounding mountains into its landscape, offering a breathtaking view of Japan’s changing seasons.

The temple’s founding priest, Sōchō, was a poet who served the Imagawa clan, the feudal lords of this region. He studied in Kyoto under Ikkyū Sōjun, one of Japan’s most renowned historical figures. Today, Saioku-ji Temple preserves artifacts related to Ikkyū, offering a glimpse into this fascinating connection.

This region was once renowned for its bamboo, which was crafted into various everyday items. One such item was the haifuki, an essential tool in traditional tea ceremonies. During the Edo period, haifuki stamped with the Togeppo seal were widely used, and the name Togeppo even became synonymous with the item itself. Today, Saioku-ji Temple continues this legacy by offering haifuki with the traditional stamp for purchase.