The Garden’s Design and Layout
The garden consists of two main sections: a dry pond garden extending east of the main hall and a raised dry landscape garden enclosed by stone arrangements on all four sides. Although no flowing water is used, the arrangement of stones evokes ponds, waterfalls, islands, and rugged mountain scenery.
Extensively renovated in the late Edo period, the garden is particularly celebrated for the scale and artistry of its stonework. Its dramatic forms distinguish it from more restrained Japanese gardens and have attracted the attention of garden researchers as well as visitors from across Japan.
The History of Awa Kokubunji Temple
Founded under Emperor Shōmu
Awa Kokubunji was established in 741 following an imperial decree issued by Emperor Shōmu (701–756), who ordered the construction of provincial temples throughout Japan to promote Buddhism and protect the country. The temple is traditionally associated with the influential Buddhist monk Gyōki, who helped establish temples and spread Buddhist teachings across the country.
The temple was originally founded as a Hossō-shū Buddhist institution. In 815, it is said to have adopted Shingon Buddhism following the visit of Kūkai, the monk later revered as Kōbō Daishi, who practiced Buddhism in the region.
The temple was subsequently destroyed by fire during the Momoyama period, between 1573 and 1615. It was rebuilt in 1741 and reestablished as a Sōtō Zen Buddhist temple, reflecting the changes in religious affiliation and institutional history that shaped the site over the centuries.
Connections to the Imperial Family and the Shikoku Pilgrimage
The temple enshrines memorial tablets for Emperor Shōmu and Empress Kōmyō, recalling the imperial patronage behind the provincial temple system. Awa Kokubunji is also the 15th temple on the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage, one of Japan’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage routes.
Pilgrims and other visitors come to pay their respects, explore the temple grounds, and appreciate the historic garden. The site offers a meaningful encounter with the religious traditions and cultural heritage of Shikoku.
Highlights of the Garden
Powerful Stone Arrangements in Awa Blue-Green Stone
The garden’s defining feature is its remarkable use of Awa blue stone, a green crystalline schist whose deep, sometimes glossy color gives the landscape a distinctive character. The stones are arranged in combinations of upright and horizontal forms, creating a sense of strength, movement, and carefully controlled balance.
In 1966, renowned Japanese garden designer and researcher Mirei Shigemori conducted a detailed survey of the garden. He highly praised the quality of its stone arrangements, regarding their techniques as among the finest in Japanese garden design. The tall standing stones and intricate placement remain central to the garden’s reputation.
Tenshō Bridge and the Turtle Stone Arrangement
In front of the main hall is a stone composition known as the Turtle Arrangement, in which stones are arranged to resemble a turtle on a small island. Three stone bridges cross the arrangement, each using different materials and forms, including natural stone, cut stone, and extremely thin cut slabs.
One of the most intriguing features is Tenshō Bridge, traditionally said to have been inspired by the Dragon Gate at Mount Lu in China. Constructed from carefully combined stone slabs, it creates an unusual visual effect that makes the stone appear to bend. Its inventive form demonstrates how dry landscape gardens can suggest movement and natural phenomena without the use of water.
Dry Waterfall and Cave Stone Arrangements
On the southern side of the garden, a towering upright stone rises dramatically toward the sky. Around it are arrangements representing a dry waterfall and a cave.
A dry waterfall uses stones to suggest the flow and force of falling water without an actual stream. The cave arrangement evokes a secluded cavern associated with immortal sages in traditional East Asian thought. Together, the upright and horizontal stones create a dynamic landscape that invites visitors to imagine mountains, waterfalls, and hidden spiritual realms.
Explore the Temple Grounds
The Main Gate and Main Hall
The temple grounds begin at a simple, single-story main gate. Beyond it, visitors will find a purification basin on the right, while a Jizō hall, the foundation stone of a seven-story pagoda, and the bell tower stand to the left.
At the rear of the grounds is the main hall, known as the Ruriden, which enshrines Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha associated with healing and medicine. Seismic reinforcement work was carried out on the hall from 2015 through the end of 2020 to help preserve the historic building.
The Daishi Hall and Other Religious Buildings
The Daishi Hall stands in front of the main hall. After being destroyed by fire in 1996, it was rebuilt in 2014. Other structures within the grounds include a hall dedicated to Ususama Myōō, a deity associated with purification, as well as shrines dedicated to Hakusan Daigongen and Akiba Daigongen.
Another notable feature is the enormous foundation stone of a seven-story pagoda dating from the Nara period (710–794). Even without the original tower, the surviving stone provides a sense of the scale and ambition of the temple complex in ancient times.
Getting to Awa Kokubunji Temple Garden
By train: The garden is approximately 2.6 kilometers from Fuchū Station on the JR Shikoku Tokushima Line. From the station, visitors can continue on foot or use local bus services.
By bus: Take a Tokushima Bus service on the Kamiyama Line via Enmei or the Amanohara Nishi Line, and get off at the Kokubunji-mae bus stop. The temple is approximately 400 meters from the stop.
By car: From National Route 192, the site is approximately 400 meters from the Yano area. It is also accessible from Aizumi Interchange on the Tokushima Expressway, approximately 7.9 kilometers away. Visitors approaching from the Takamatsu Expressway can also use Itano Interchange.
Visiting Hours and Admission
The garden can be viewed by asking at the temple’s nōkyōsho, the office where pilgrimage stamps and related services are provided.
Viewing hours: 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Admission: ¥300
Opening arrangements and admission fees may change, so it is advisable to confirm the latest details before visiting.
Experience the Artistry of a Historic Japanese Garden
Awa Kokubunji Temple Garden is a memorable destination for anyone interested in Japanese landscape design. Its towering blue-green stones, intricate bridges, and dry waterfall formations create a powerful landscape that differs from the tranquil, moss-covered gardens often associated with Japan.
The garden is especially rewarding when explored alongside the temple’s historic buildings and its place on the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage. Together, they reveal how Buddhist faith, local stone craftsmanship, and centuries of Japanese garden artistry have shaped this distinctive cultural site in Tokushima.