Chofu Castle Town & Kozanji Temple
長府城下町・功山寺
The samurai district of the Mori clan's Chofu domain, with earthen-walled lanes and the National Treasure Kozanji Temple Buddha Hall, a historic site of the late Edo-period Meiji Restoration.
Chofu was the castle town of the Chofu branch of the Mori clan, the Choshu domain's sub-domain. The earthen walls, samurai residences, and waterways around Furuegoji Street are well preserved and ideal for a stroll. The Buddha Hall of Kozanji Temple was built in 1320 and is one of Japan's oldest Zen-style Buddha halls, designated a National Treasure. In 1864, Takasugi Shinsaku raised his army here, turning the tide for the Choshu domain, and the temple grounds include an equestrian bronze statue. The autumn foliage at Chofu Garden and the Chofu Mori Residence is especially famous. It's about a 5-minute bus ride from JR Chofu Station and about 20 minutes by car from Karato.
Opening hours
Open all day; Gongshan Temple approx. 9:00 am–5:00 pm
Nearby sights
- Hinoyama Park
- Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel
- Mekari Shrine
- Akama Shrine
- Sino-Japanese Peace Treaty Memorial Hall
- Karato Market
- Mojikō Retro
- Shimonoseki Aquarium Kaikyokan