A History Dating Back to the 14th Century
Kokokuji is said to have been founded during the Shohei era of the Northern and Southern Courts period, around the middle of the 14th century. The temple was established by the Zen monk Kohō Kakumyo, a highly respected Buddhist priest who was later given the title Sanko Kokushi.
The temple was built with the support of Misawa Yasukuni, a local powerful family leader of the time. From its foundation, Kokokuji served as an important center of religious faith in the area.
Over the centuries, however, the temple experienced repeated destruction and periods of decline due to warfare, natural disasters, epidemics, and other difficulties. Each time, it was rebuilt, allowing its history and traditions to be passed down to the present day.
The Temple’s Revival During the Edo Period
During the Edo period, the temple underwent a major revival under its seventh head priest, Setsuan Zenji. He worked to expand the temple grounds and contributed greatly to its cultural development.
Setsuan Zenji was also a respected Zen priest who had trained under the famous Buddhist master Hakuin Zenji. He was deeply respected by the local community, and his influence remains an important part of Kokokuji’s history.
The Famous Dry Landscape Garden
The highlight of a visit to Kokokuji is its traditional Japanese dry landscape garden, or karesansui. The garden was created during the late Edo period by Sawa Gendan, a garden designer employed by Matsudaira Harusato, the seventh lord of the Matsue domain and a renowned tea master better known as Fumai.
The garden was completed during the Tenpo era after approximately three and a half years of work. Its design reflects the Zen aesthetic of expressing a deep sense of nature and spirituality through simple materials and carefully controlled composition.
White Sand, Stones, and Borrowed Scenery
The garden features an open area covered with white sand, with three lines of stone arrangements extending northward. These arrangements naturally guide the viewer’s eyes toward the pond and mountain scenery beyond the garden.
One of its most distinctive features is the use of Mount Tabushi and Kin-Kyo Pond at the foot of the mountain as borrowed scenery, known in Japanese garden design as shakkei. By incorporating the surrounding landscape into the garden’s composition, the garden appears much larger and deeper than its physical boundaries suggest.
This combination of carefully designed elements and the surrounding natural landscape creates a striking sense of harmony between the work of people and the beauty of nature.
Where Zen Garden Design Meets the Tea Ceremony
Kokokuji’s garden is not simply designed to be viewed from one fixed position. It also reflects the influence of Japanese tea culture.
Setsuan Zenji had extensive knowledge of the tea ceremony, and a tea room known as Hakuen-tei was established within the temple grounds.
The garden incorporates stepping stones, carefully arranged plants, and other elements that create different views as visitors move through the space. At the same time, the garden can be appreciated while sitting quietly and observing it from a fixed position.
This combination of walking through the landscape and quietly contemplating the garden allows visitors to experience the scenery from different perspectives.
The arrangement of pine trees and the techniques used to shape the plants also reflect characteristics associated with the gardening traditions of the Izumo region.
International Recognition of the Japanese Garden
Kokokuji’s garden has attracted attention not only in Japan but also internationally. The American publication Sukiya Living Magazine: The Journal of Japanese Gardening has included the garden in its rankings of Japanese gardens.
Among approximately 1,000 gardens considered in the rankings, Kokokuji was ranked 8th in 2005 and 12th in 2006, and it has also appeared in the rankings in more recent years.
For international visitors, this recognition provides another reason to explore Kokokuji. The garden offers an opportunity to see how traditional Japanese concepts of simplicity, balance, natural scenery, and contemplation are expressed through landscape design.
Historic Buildings and Highlights of the Temple Grounds
The temple grounds contain several buildings that convey its long history, including the main hall, monks’ quarters, Sanmon gate, and bell tower.
The present main hall was rebuilt during the late Edo period. The development and restoration of the temple complex were carried out through the efforts of several successive head priests.
The Kannondo and Its Hidden Buddhist Statue
After passing through the Sanmon gate, visitors will find a Kannondo, or Kannon Hall, on the right. The hall houses a Buddhist statue of Kannon that is regarded as a hidden sacred image and is not normally open to the public.
The statue is traditionally said to have been created by Kobo Daishi, the revered Buddhist monk who founded the Shingon school of Buddhism in Japan. Although visitors cannot normally see the statue, its hidden nature adds to the temple’s sense of mystery and spiritual atmosphere.
A Place to Slow Down and Find Peace
Kokokuji offers more than historic architecture and beautiful scenery. It is also a place where visitors can experience the quiet atmosphere associated with Zen culture.
Sitting quietly in front of the garden and listening to the sounds of the wind and birds can provide a welcome break from the pace of everyday life. The simplicity of the garden encourages visitors to slow down and appreciate the scenery without distraction.
Seasonal Beauty
The garden and surrounding grounds change throughout the year. Fresh green leaves in spring, deep greenery in summer, autumn foliage, and the quiet landscape of winter each create a different atmosphere.
For travelers who enjoy Japanese gardens, photography, architecture, history, or quiet cultural experiences, visiting in different seasons can reveal new details and perspectives.
A Historic Japanese Garden in the Heart of Izumo
Kokokuji Temple brings together centuries of history, Zen traditions, Japanese garden design, tea culture, and the natural scenery of Izumo.
Its dry landscape garden combines carefully arranged stones and white sand with the surrounding mountains and pond through the traditional technique of borrowed scenery. The result is a tranquil landscape that reflects the Japanese appreciation of simplicity and harmony with nature.
When exploring Izumo, consider taking time away from the area’s famous shrines to visit this peaceful temple. Sitting quietly before the garden and taking in its changing seasonal scenery offers a different perspective on the cultural and spiritual heritage of Izumo.