⛩️ Kai Zenkoji Temple

The famous temple was built by the Sengoku daimyō Takeda Shingen in the first year of Eiroku (1558) in the former Kai (now Yamanashi Prefecture). Takeda Shingen, concerned that the "Zenkō-ji" in Nagano would be burned during the Battle of Kawanakajima, relocated the principal image of Amida Nyorai and many Buddhist statues and temple treasures to Kōfu, which is the origin of this temple. Even after the fall of the Takeda clan, the temple continued to receive generous support and protection from figures like Tokugawa Ieyasu. The wooden main hall, or kondō, is the largest wooden structure in Eastern Japan, standing 27 meters tall and 49 meters deep, making it quite impressive. The ceiling of the main hall features a massive dragon, and when one claps their hands, the "Nairyu" (roaring dragon) creates a resonating echo due to its multiple reverberations, making it the largest in all of Japan. Both the main hall and the multi-storied gate are designated important cultural properties. Additionally, the temple houses many Buddhist statues and architectural artifacts that are worth seeing. The treasure hall within the temple grounds displays treasures inherited from Zenkō-ji, with exhibits changing periodically. Among the items on display are the important cultural property of the wooden triad of Amida and various other collections, including the oldest statue of Minamoto no Yoritomo in Japan.

The ancient temple built by Takeda Shingen in the first year of Eiroku (1558). Inside the temple, there are important cultural assets such as the main hall, which is the largest wooden structure in Eastern Japan. The museum displays precious cultural treasures, including a statue of Minamoto no Yoritomo.