[2025 Yokohama Attraction] Travel Guide for Gumyo-ji (Updated Jul)

Adress : 〒232-0067 Kanagawa, Yokohama, Minami Ward, Gumyojicho, 字山下２６７番地 Between the Keikyu Gumyoji and the subway, there are a lot of famous Gumyoji shops, new and old shops. I ate yakitori and croquettes while walking, and went shopping at a pickle shop before heading home.After getting off at Yokohama Municipal Subway "Gumyoji Station" and passing through the arcade of Gumyoji Shopping Street, you will see the "Niomon Gate" marked by the red lantern of "Zuiosan Rengein Gumyoji", which is said to be the oldest temple in Yokohama. I can see it. Go through the Niomon Gate and climb the stairs while looking at the Jizo Bodhisattva on your left. 1300 years ago, in 737, the monk Gyoki, who was ordered by Emperor Shomu to quell the plague, built a thatched hut on this ground and prayed for carvings when he traveled around the country to pray for peace. It is said that the current principal image is the ``Eleven-faced Kanzeon Bodhisattva'' (nationally designated important cultural property). After that, in 1044, the main hall was built by Kouei Shonin, and in the Kamakura period, ``Gumyoji'' was replaced with ``Ku'' in ``Kosei Shinjokai'' in the Kannon Sutra. It became Gumyoji Temple, and the current main hall was rebuilt in 1766 by Chiko Shonin.After getting off at Yokohama Municipal Subway "Gumyoji Station" and passing through the arcade of Gumyoji Shopping Street, you will see the "Niomon Gate" marked by the red lantern of "Zuiosan Rengein Gumyoji", which is said to be the oldest temple in Yokohama.

Komyoji Kannon The oldest temple in Yokohama Komyoji Kannon Nearly 1,300 years ago, in the 5th year of the Yoro era (721) of Emperor Gensho, the Indian monk Zenmui Tripitaka came to Japan. 17 years later, in the 9th year of the Tenpyo era (737) of Emperor Shomu, when a serious disease was spreading throughout the country, the monk Gyoki from Izumi, Kawachi Province, traveled around the country by imperial command to pray for peace throughout the country. He built a hermitage in the sacred area of ​​this temple and carved and prayed with the utmost sincerity, bowing three times after each cut. This is the current principal image, the Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva. In the 5th year of the Kōnin era (814) of Emperor Saga, Kobo Daishi is said to have burned 1,000 goma fires to pray for the protection of the common people from disasters and good fortune when he traveled around the country. Then, on March 10, 1044, the first year of the Kantoku era, the tiled main hall was constructed by Kokei. As the estimated date of the carving of the Gohonzon and the construction of the main hall almost match, it is believed that this was the actual time of the temple's founding. During the Kamakura period, the temple was called "Gumyo-ji," but the name was changed to Gumyoji after the character "ko" from "Guzeijinyokai," a verse from the Kannon Sutra, with the character "kyu" changed to "kyu." The current main hall was rebuilt by Chiko in 1766, but the chona carved floorboards, beams, and keta from when Kokei built it are still in use. With the Meiji Restoration, power returned to the Imperial Court and the Meiji era began, Buddhist temples that did not belong to Shinto were subjected to severe oppression throughout the country, and our temple lands, along with its temple seal, were confiscated by the new government. In the mid-Meiji period, the temple was left without a chief priest, and the temple's traditions, treasures, and even the chief priest's family tree were lost. The birth of the Gumyoji Shopping Street and the completion of Gumyoji Station. The birth of the Gumyoji Shopping Street and the completion of Gumyoji Station. When Watanabe Kangyoku became the chief priest in 1901, the Gumyoji Preservation Society was established, and everyone worked hard to restore Gumyoji and revitalize the town. The cherry trees along the Ooka River were also planted at this time. In 1911, under the direction of Governor Shufu Kohei, a farm road connecting the Niomon Gate to the Kamakura Kaido was developed into a straight, four-ken road, which is now the Gumyoji Shopping Street. In 1929, the Shonan Electric Railroad (now the Keihin Electric Express Railway) passed through the mountain behind the temple and Gumyoji Station was completed. In 1976, the main hall's copper roof was replaced by the monk Mimatsu Kankai, and the reception hall was renovated, followed by the "Heisei Great Renovation" by the monk Mimatsu Kanjo. In June 2001, the Keihin Electric Express Railway Co., Ltd. dedicated a substitute Jizo Bodhisattva to the temple grounds to pray for people's recovery from illness as a commemorative project for the 100th anniversary of the company's founding. #YokohamaTourism #Gumyoji #CherryBlossomSeason

Gumyoji Shotengai or Gumyoji Shopping Street This vibrant street acts like a pathway to the oldest temple in Yokohama. It is close to Gumyoji Station, which is served by both the Keikyu Line and the Yokohama Municipal Subway Line. Though this street is not popular with young shoppers, the environment gives a Showa Period Vibe that will entice you to visit the place. This street is also packed because of commuters and students. If you're in Yokohama and love temples, visit Gumyoji! #fallingseason #temples #trip

#JapanTravel 🏯 Let me introduce you to Gumyoji (Hongmyōji), an old temple that is like the heart of Yokohama, built in the 1700s! Since it passes through the Hiro-Meiji shopping street, there were many things to see and buy on the way there. It was a large-scale ancient temple with high cultural value, and it was a temple that gave off a refreshing and clear feeling. 💙 The grounds were clean and well-maintained, and the blue roof was beautiful and colorful.! I recommend you to visit Gumyoji, the oldest temple in Yokohama! ✨ 🗺️ Gumyoji 弘明寺 : Japan 〒232-0067 Kanagawa, Yokohama, Minami Ward, Gumyojicho, 字山下２６７番地 #Yokohama #YokohamaTravel #Japan