🗺️ Rurikō-ji Five-Story Pagoda瑠璃光寺五重塔

The Rurikō-ji Five-Story Pagoda was planned and constructed by Ōuchi Yoshimitsu to commemorate his elder brother Ōuchi Yoshihiro, who lost his life in the Ōei Rebellion in 1399. It was completed in 1442. Ōuchi Yoshihiro was a feudal lord during Japan's Muromachi period. The Rurikō-ji Five-Story Pagoda stands at 31.2 meters tall, featuring an overall Japanese architectural style with elements of Tang dynasty design. The roof is made of cypress bark, and the body of the pagoda tapers upwards in a slender style. It is one of the outstanding buildings from the mid-Muromachi period and is considered the finest masterpiece of Ōuchi culture, alongside Hōryū-ji and Daigo-ji, collectively known as the "Three Famous Pagodas of Japan." The view of Mount Goyama and the pagoda reflected on the surface of the pond in front is stunning, allowing visitors to enjoy the changing scenery of cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves, and snowy landscapes in winter. Within the grounds of Rurikō-ji, there is also the "Rurikō-ji Museum," which displays records of the teachings of Dōgen Zenji, the founder of the Sōtō school of Zen, including Japan's oldest manuscript, the "Shōbōgenzō." Additionally, visitors can view a model of the pagoda's structure in the museum.

Ranked tenth among the existing five-story pagodas in Japan, it is one of the "Three Famous Pagodas of Japan." The beautiful scenery of the changing seasons is a symbol of tourism in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Night lighting events are held from sunset until 10 PM. Nearby, there are several historical sites, including the Bodhi Temple "Dōshun-ji," associated with Mōri Motonari, and the gathering place for the Satsuma and Chōshū samurai "Makurayūtei."