Bicchu Kokubunji Temple in Soja City is a temple of the Omuro school of the Shingon sect of Buddhism.
The temple is said to have been rebuilt in the Edo period (1603-1867) after having fallen into disrepair over the long history. From the south side of the present precincts, the remains of the South Gate and the Middle Gate before the temple fell into ruin have been excavated, suggesting that the temple had a larger site in the beginning.
The current precincts include a five-story pagoda built in the Edo period (1603-1867), which is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Cosmos and sunflowers bloom around the temple, and the Kibiji Bicycle Path has been developed, making it easy to rent a bicycle and enjoy cycling.
■Location: Kamibayashi, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture
■Access: 10 minutes drive from Okayama Soja Interchange on Okayama Expressway / 5 minutes walk from Higashi Soja Station on JR Kibi Line
This article and photos are quoted from “https://travelogues.jp/sightseeing/soja_city/“.
Historic Site in Japan 