Jorakuji Temple was founded in 1189, by the samurai lord Yoshimori Wada and his wife.
It stands quietly among the gentle hills of the Miura Peninsula, offering visitors a peaceful atmosphere far removed from the busy city and naval port areas of Yokosuka.

Jorakuji is famous for having 5 Buddhist statues created by Buddhist Sculpture, “Unkei,” who is often regarded as one of Japan’s greatest Buddhist sculptors, comparable in importance to Michelangelo in Western history.

The five Buddhist statues are designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and they are the very few surviving works attributed to Unkei. Seeing several original Unkei sculptures together in the place where they have been worshipped for centuries is an exceptionally rare experience.

Unkei’s Buddhist statues are known as its extreme realism, depicting muscles and facial expressions, and a lively, powerful sense of movement. Once you enter this compact room, you can feel the impression up close.

For many Japanese people, Buddhist statues are not merely works of art but sacred objects of faith that have been revered for generations.

According to temple tradition, Jorakuji is connected to the early Kamakura period and the rise of the samurai government. Although the temple buildings have suffered damage from fires, earthquakes, and natural disasters over the centuries, they have been rebuilt many times, preserving their spiritual heritage.

Another distinctive feature of Jorakuji is that it has various types of activity to experience Buddhism and Japanese culture. You can experience through sutra copying practice, small Buddhist statue carving, painting, or through 3D VR. You can even stay at the temple and experience the Samurai spirits through living.

The temple is open to the local community as well.
Morning market is held on Saturday and Sunday mornings, where you can buy local products such as fresh vegetables, seafood including Misaki tuna, cake, tea etc.
On the other side of the road, there is a park that turns into dog park every weekend, and there will be food truck. It is a place where locals can visit and spend a relaxing time.

In this quiet, peaceful setting—far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and surrounded by nature—experience 800 years of history and the essence of Buddhism—an experience you can only have here.

• Discover Unkei’s Masterpieces in the Dark
  

  Experience the Buddhist statues in near-complete darkness, illuminated only by soft candlelight. In the silence of the temple, visitors are invited to encounter the sculptures not only with their eyes, but also with their hearts.
  
  Adult 2,500 yen/Elementary school children 1,000 yen
  9:00-12:00/13:00-16:00 (Last Entry 15:45)
  Reserve here https://www.jorakuji-jodoshu.com/sanpai

• Experience the Overnight Stay at the Temple -観（KAN）-
  

  The word "KAN" (観) means not only "to see," but also "to contemplate," "to become aware," and "to reflect upon oneself."
  Visitors can deepen their experience by staying overnight at TEMPLE STAY KAN, a unique temple lodging program at Jorakuji.
  
  Spend a quiet evening surrounded by nature, experience Buddhist practices, and encounter the temple in the stillness of the early morning.
  
  Rather than simply visiting, guests are invited to slow down, reflect, and experience a living Buddhist tradition.
  
  Limited to one group per day.
  Official website https://templestay-kan.com/kan/

• 3D VR Journey of Unkei's Masterpiece
  

  You can experience a unique fusion of cultural heritage and cutting-edge technology through an immersive 3D VR journey. Wearing VR goggles, you will relive the moment when samurai warriors of the Kamakura period offered their prayers and commissioned sacred Buddhist statues from the master sculptor Unkei.
  
  More than a museum visit, this is a journey through history, art, faith, and the spirit of the samurai—an unforgettable cultural experience that can only be found in Japan.
  
  Fee: 5,000 yen
  Virtual Pilgrimage 30-min + Unkei's Buddhist Statue Visiting 30-min
  Language: Japanese, English, French, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional)
  Reserve here https://virtualunkei.com/en/

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2026-07-16