Ryuguji Temple

Ryuguji Temple

Nakasu-Kawabata Area | History & Culture Ryuguji Temple

This is a temple of Jodo Buddhism. It was originally located on the beach near the port. A tradition says that a mermaid appeared on the beach in 1222, and it was believed to be the sign of the nation’s long prosperity and the temple was renamed as Ryuguji (legendary name of the castle where mermaids live) when the corpse of the mermaid was buried within the shrine. At this time, the temple was also given another name of Reizen-san, which comes from the name of an emissary from the imperial court.

Ryuguji Temple