Chinkokuji is a deeply historic temple established in 806 by the great priest Kobo Daishi. After cutting his studies in Tang China short by two years, he returned to Japan ahead of schedule. Because of this unauthorized early return, the central government barred him from entering the capital, forcing him to stay in Kyushu, where he founded this temple. Despite its illustrious origin, it remains a hidden gem, largely because it sits quietly in Munakata—a secluded, lesser-known pocket of Fukuoka, Kyushu.
However, its neighbor, Munakata Taisha, was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site a few years ago. For better or worse, the shrine now draws a non-stop stream of visitors. As a result, this historic temple—located just a few hundred meters away—has also seen a significant rise in pilgrims.It is a truly magnificent place. I highly recommend paying it a visit.
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