The name 'Taichoroh' translates to 'Hall of the Tide and Morning Sun.'
The site served as a vital reception hall for Korean Tongsinsa (diplomatic envoys) during the Edo period.
The view from the veranda is categorized as a 'scenic beauty' in historical calligraphy preserved within the temple.
The temple houses a collection of ancient documents and woodblock prints related to Korean-Japanese diplomatic exchanges.
It is a central filming location for many Japanese historical dramas due to its authentic Edo-period aesthetic.
Fukuzenji Temple is a Buddhist site located in the Tomonoura harbor district, famous for its Taichoroh guesthouse. Constructed during the Edo period, the temple provides an elevated, framed view of the Seto Inland Sea, including the islands of Benten-jima and Sensui-jima. In 1711, a Korean diplomatic mission visited the site, and the chief delegate, Yi Bang-eon, described the view as the most beautiful in Japan. The main hall features tatami-matted floors and sliding doors that open directly onto a wooden veranda overlooking the water. It was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 2003. The temple complex includes wooden structures built primarily in the 17th century. It sits on a stone foundation that rises above the narrow, winding streets of the old fishing village. Visitors access the temple via a stone staircase leading up from the harborfront.
The wooden veranda facing the sea, capturing the framed view of Benten-jima island through the open sliding doors.
Remove your shoes before stepping onto the wooden veranda.
Visit during low tide to see the exposed rocky shoreline of the harbor.
Bring a pair of socks as walking on the temple floors without them is often discouraged.
Do not attempt to photograph the interior altar or private religious artifacts if signs prohibit it.
Maintain silence, remove footwear before entering the interior, and do not touch the historic calligraphy or screens.
