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Shoko-an Temple / Willow tree and well

Shoko-an is a temple of the Soto Zen Sect, which has a legend that the area name of "Yanai" is originally derived from the willow tree planted there. About 1,400 years ago, the Princess Hannya, a daughter of a local wealthy man, Manono Choja in Bungo (the south of Oita) was struck by a terrible storm in the off shore of Heigun Island on her way to Kyoto to reunite with the Prince Tachibanano Toyohi (later Emperor Yohmei). Because of this, she was forced to sail back to the shore of Yanaitsu. There, she asked a local man to give her fresh water. She was so pleased with the well water that she put a tiny willow branch next to the well to express her gratitude. The branch sprouted and grew to be a large willow tree overnight. According to the folklore, people say that the well water will make your body and spirit as beautiful and pure as the Princess Hannya. This temple is also famous for a statue of Kokūzō Bosatsu (Bodhisattva of Wisdom & Memory), one of the only three existing statues in Japan, which you can see in the hall on the west side of the temple.


○Access
By Public Transportation : Approx. 15-minute walk from JR Yanai Station
By Car : Approx. 20 minutes from Kuga IC. on Sanyo Expressway

○Parking Lot
For Cars : Please use neighboring parking lot.
For Coaches : Please use Shirakabe Fureai Square (Tourist Information)