Musashi Kokubun-ji Temple Site

In short

The ​Musashi Kokubun-ji Temple Site​ is the site of the provincial temple of Musashi Province, built during the Nara period by order of Emperor Shomu, and is designated as a national Historic Site. Along the ancient official road, the Tosando Musashi-michi, the monks' temple was positioned to the east and the nunnery to the west. The Kondo (Main Hall) was among the largest of all provincial temples across the country, and there was also a seven-story pagoda estimated to have stood approximately 60 meters high.

• ​Kondo Site​​: The site of the building that housed the principal Buddhist image. The building measured approximately 36 meters by 17 meters, and many foundation stones remain today.
• ​Seven-Story Pagoda Site​​: Located 200 meters east of the Kondo and Kodo (Lecture Hall) sites. Seven foundation stones remain, including a central foundation stone with a mortise hole.
• ​Musashi Kokubun-ji Temple Site Museum​​: Primarily displays artifacts excavated from the historic site and introduces the achievements of archaeological excavations conducted to date.

History and Highlights

The ​Musashi Kokubun-ji Temple Site​ is the remains of a Buddhist temple from the Nara period. In 741 (Tenpyo 13), Emperor Shomu ordered the establishment of provincial temples (Kokubun-ji) across all provinces. In Musashi Province, the monks' temple was planned to the east and the nunnery to the west along the Tosando Musashi-michi, an ancient official road that branched off the Tosando and led to the provincial capital (kokufu). The provincial capital was located in present-day Fuchu City.

There are no exact records of its founding, but based on excavated artifacts and other evidence, it is believed to date to around the Tenpyo-hoji era, between 757 and 765.

In 835 (Jowa 2), the seven-story pagoda was destroyed by a fire caused by lightning. According to the official imperial history Shoku Nihon Koki, Mibu no Kishi Fukusho, the former district chief of Obusuma District, petitioned to rebuild the pagoda, which had been left unrestored, and permission was granted. Excavation surveys have confirmed that the rebuilt pagoda was erected in the same location as the original one from the time of its founding.

The temple gradually declined from around the first half of the 10th century, and it is said to have burned down during the Battle of Bubaigawara in 1333 (Genko 3). Nevertheless, its religious tradition was carried on, and a Kokubun-ji temple still exists today.

The remains span 1.5 kilometers east-to-west and 1 kilometer north-to-south. In 1922 (Taisho 11), it was designated as a national Historic Site, and Kokubunji City has developed part of it as a historical park.

Points for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​Kondo and Kodo Sites​​: The layout features the South Gate, Middle Gate, Kondo, and Kodo arranged in a straight line. The Kondo was a building set on foundation stones measuring 7 bays (approximately 36 meters) across and 4 bays (approximately 17 meters) deep, and many foundation stones still remain. At the Kodo site, the podium has been restored.
• ​Seven-Story Pagoda Site​​: A building set on foundation stones measuring 3 bays by 3 bays (approximately 10 meters square), estimated to have been about 60 meters in height. Seven foundation stones remain, including the central base stone with a mortise hole. In an underground radar survey in fiscal year 2003, another pagoda site was discovered about 55 meters to the west. This site has no foundation stones, and its clear relationship to any rebuilding is unknown.
• ​Tosando Musashi-michi Site and Nunnery Site​​: In Izumi-cho 2-chome, the remains of a straight road spanning approximately 340 meters were excavated, and the road width is displayed on the ground surface. The nunnery site on the west side of the road had no pagoda. The podium of the presumed Kondo site and the foundation stones of the nuns' living quarters have been restored.

Walking Tips

It is a 15-minute walk from Nishi-Kokubunji Station and an 18-minute walk from Kokubunji Station. After viewing the Kondo and Kodo sites, try walking 200 meters east to the Seven-Story Pagoda site.

Since August 2026, the area around the South Gate has also been part of the historical park, allowing views of the monks' temple site from the south.

Excavated artifacts can be viewed at the Musashi Kokubun-ji Temple Site Museum inside the Otaka no Michi Spring Garden. It presents the results of archaeological surveys conducted thus far. An admission fee for the Spring Garden is required to enter the museum.

​Masugata Pond​​, located below the cliff, is about 260 meters northeast of here.