Tokoji Temple
東光寺
The family temple of the Mori clan. Around 500 stone lanterns line the mausoleum grounds, and on August 15 the Manto-e lantern festival turns the scene spectacular.
Tokoji Temple was founded in 1691 by Mori Yoshinari, the third lord of the Chōshū domain, and belongs to the Ōbaku school. The main hall, the main gate and the bell tower are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The highlight is the Mori family mausoleum on the hill behind the temple, where about 500 stone lanterns offered by the retainers stand in front of the graves of successive lords, creating a serene and solemn atmosphere. Every year on August 15, during the Obon Manto-e festival, all the lanterns are lit. Admission is about 300 yen, open 8:30 to 17:00. It is about a 10-minute walk from Shoin Shrine, so the two are easy to visit together.
Opening hours
08:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- Shoin Shrine & Shoka Sonjuku
- Hagi Reverberatory Furnace
- Michi-no-Eki Hagi Seamart
- Hagi Meirin Gakusha
- Hagi Uragami Museum
- Kikugahama Beach
- Hagi Museum
- Hagi Castle Town (Kikuya Yokocho)