“Have you an eye problem?” I ask. This may be the temple for you. Welcome to Sokujoji Temple. It is known for healing eye diseases.
Sokujoji Temple has a history of about 400 years. Lord Tadakatsu Honda founded it. He was one of the Tokugawa Four Heavenly Kings.
Tadakatsu Honda’s grandson was Tadamasa Honda. Tadamasa Honda entered Yamato Koriyama with 190.000 koku from Himeji 150.000 koku. The temple’s founder was from Shoshoin Koikemasaie. Tadamasa Honda prayed here for his eye disease to be cured.
In late 2014 the temple was rebuilt. It now features seasonal flowers. There are over 2000 azaleas. You can find a tree burial ground and a mausoleum here.
Sokujoji Temple is located in Yamato Koriyama City Nara Prefecture. You can reach it by train. It is a 10-minute walk from Kintetsu Koriyama Station. It is a 15-minute walk from JR Koriyama Station. If you take the bus get off at Yazudera Kinoshita. It is a 4-minute walk from there.
The temple is open from 9 am to 4 pm. It is open every day. There is parking on the grounds. I hope your eyes will feel better after visiting Sokujoji Temple.