This is a temple of Zen Buddhist sect, built in 1469.
When ODA Nobunaga moved to Gifu Castle in 1567, he took Sofuku-ji under his patronage as his personal prayer chapel.
After Nobunaga and his son, Nobutada, were killed by AKECHI Mitsuhide during the Honno-ji Incident (1582), many of their personal treasures were sent to and preserved at this temple by Nobunaga's concubine, Onabe-no-kata.
They are now saved in “Oda Nobunaga fu-shi byo”, ODA Nobunaga Father and Son Monument.
The ceiling of the main temple is called “Blood Ceiling”.
Its boards were originally the parts of the floorboards of Gifu Castle which fell to enemy in 1600. They were removed and built into the ceiling of Sofuku-ji to mourn for the soldiers killed in the war.
The ceiling still has some blood stains.
You can also enjoy the front yard made with stones and beautiful Japanese enkianthus in the back yard.
Pictures of Sofuku-ji Temple
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- Temple garden
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- View from the main temple (with Mt. Kinka and Gifu Castle)
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- The red leaves of Japanese enkianthus
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- ODA Nobunaga Father and Son Monument
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- The “Blood Ceiling”
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- Tower clock used by ODA Nobunaga
INFORMATION
| Hours | Mar - Oct 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Nov - Feb 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Closed | 1/15, 5/7, 8/1, 8/5, and on special occasions |
| Admission fee | Adults - 150 yen Children - 100 yen |
| Access |
Take “City Loop-line”bus (Counterclockwise direction) at JR Gifu Station or Meitetsu Gifu Station. Get off at “Nagaragawa Kokusai Kaigijo Kitaguchi” |
| Parking | Available |
| Address | 2403-1 Nagara Fukumitsu, Gifu City |
| Contact | 058-231-2613 |
- Tourist Information in Gifu City:
- Feel free to contact the Gifu City Tourist Information Office when you visit Gifu City.
