While the exact year of origin of Jorakuji Temple is unknown, in 1189 (the start of the Kamakura era) that together with his wife, Wada Yoshimori, a samurai warrior from Miura clan, took charge of the temple.
It is said that there are over 30 statues created by Unkei in Japan, these five of which are kept for limited viewing at Jorakuji. With their youthful and fleshy musculature, these statues are representative of Unkei’s style of Buddhist statuary of his prime years, with their combination of realism and ethereal expression. It is spotlighted that some structural techniques are seen too.
Also, Jorakuji is known as a family temple of Hisoka Maejima who played a major role in Meiji restoration and called "Father of the Postal System”. Maejima contributed to modernize Japan which has been led to the present day not only by establishing the Japanese postal service but also railroad, sea lane, abolishing kanji and so on.
Seated statue of the Amida-Nyorai (Amitabha)（Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property）
Standing statue of the Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokitesvara or Guanyin Bodhisattva)（Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property）
Standing statue of Seishi Bosatsu (Mahasthamaprapta)（Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property）
Standing statue of Fudo Myo’o (Acala Vidyaraja)（Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property）
Standing statue of Bishamonten (Vaisravana)（Nationally Designated Important Cultural Property）
Directions
From Zushi Station (JR Yokosuka Line)
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Take the East Exit. Go to Bus Stop #2,
located directly outside of the ticket gate.
Take any of the buses bound for "Ogusu Ashina-guchi",
"Yokosuka Shimin Byoin", "Nagai", “Sajima Marina Iriguchi”,
“Denryoku Chuo Kenkyujyo”, “Shonan Sajima Nagisa-no-oka”.
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(The bus ride takes 20-30 min. depending on the traffic)
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Get off at "Jorakuji Temple" bus stop. The temple is a 1-min. walk inland from the bus stop.
From Zushi·Hayama Station (Keikyu Line)
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Take the South Exit. Go to Bus Stop #1 located near Seven-Eleven.
Take any of the buses bound for "Ogusu Ashina-guchi", "Yokosuka Shimin Byoin",
"Nagai", “Sajima Marina Iriguchi”, “Denryoku Chuo Kenkyujyo”, “Shonan Sajima Nagisa-no-oka”.
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(The bus ride takes 20-30 min. depending on the traffic)
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Get off at "Jorakuji Temple" bus stop.
The temple is a 1-min. walk inland from the bus stop.