# Dojo-ji

> The oldest temple in Wakayama, famed for the tragic Anchin-Kiyohime bell legend and for the lively 'e-toki' picture-storytelling that recounts it to visitors.

- Prefecture: Wakayama
- Type: Temple
- Address: Hidakagawa, Wakayama, Japan
- Opening hours: Mon–Sun 09:00–17:00
- Admission: 700 yen
- Official site: https://dojoji.com/

Dojo-ji was founded in 701 and is the oldest temple in Wakayama, set on a wooded rise above the Hidaka River. It is best known through the legend of Anchin and Kiyohime, in which a scorned woman transforms into a serpent and, in her fury, melts a monk hidden beneath the temple bell, a tale retold in Noh and kabuki as 'Dojoji'. Monks entertain visitors with e-toki, a fast, humorous picture-storytelling of the legend, and the treasure hall displays fine Heian-period Buddhist statues, several designated national treasures. The long stone staircase and the cherry trees that frame it make the approach a noted spring sight.

## FAQ

### What is the e-toki storytelling at Dojo-ji?

A monk narrates the Anchin-Kiyohime legend with a set of painted scrolls in a lively, comic style; it lasts around 20 minutes and is usually included with admission to the treasure hall.

### How do I get to Dojo-ji?

It is about a five-minute walk from JR Dojoji Station on the Kisei Main Line, roughly 10 minutes by train south of Gobo; there is parking at the foot of the stone steps.

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Source: Dojo-ji — Japan Voyage