Chozen-ji Temple

Overview

Chozen-ji Temple is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple located in Honjo City, Saitama Prefecture. Founded by Kanto Kanrei Uesugi Akisada, it boasts a long history. Its former grounds covered a vast 30,000 square meters, but a fire in 1842 (Tenpo 13) destroyed much of the temple complex. The surviving "Bone Hata no Fuji" wisteria vine was planted in 1753 (Horeki 3) and is estimated to be over 650 years old. The wisteria trellis spans 2,000 square meters, showcasing a stunning display of deep purple, light purple, pink, and white wisteria blossoms. The wisteria is in full bloom from late April to early May, attracting many visitors and creating a lively atmosphere. In addition to the main vine, there are also wisteria vines estimated to be 350 and 250 years old, with eight varieties across eight trellises in total. Chozen-ji Temple offers a wonderful blend of history and nature, making it a highly recommended sightseeing spot.