Do-ryo-ji Temple

Dare to venture to the end of the road? Here at Dōryō-ji Temple, the very name whispers a chilling double meaning. Dōryō-ji, Temple of the deity Dōryō, but also, ominously, “End of the Road Temple.” Established in 1874 along the bustling Kinu no Michi, the Silk Road connecting Hachioji and Yokohama, Dōryō-ji Temple initially thrived. It served as a welcome rest stop for travelers on this important trade route. Yet, the temple’s fortunes took a dark turn, mirroring the decline of the Silk Road itself. The arrival of the Yokohama Railway in 1908 dealt a fatal blow to the Silk Road’s foot traffic, and Dōryō-ji, far from the new train stations, faded into obscurity. Tragedy struck in 1963 when an elderly caretaker was murdered during a robbery, her cries said to still echo through the trees. A decade later, in 1973, the temple grounds became the scene of a horrific crime. A university student entangled in a forbidden love affair met her tragic end here. Her body lay hidden near the temple grounds for months before being discovered. These dark events cemented Dōryō-ji’s reputation as a haunted place. The temple closed in 1983, leaving behind only ruins and chilling tales. Today, the remnants of Dōryō-ji rest within Ōtsukayama Park. While many come to enjoy the park’s playful rabbits, those who know the temple’s history feel a different presence. They sense the sorrow of the murdered caretaker and the desperate cries of the young student, forever echoing at the end of the road.