Remains of Hokkedo Temple

Site of Yoritomo's Private Buddha Hall near His Grave

Minamoto no Yoritomo built a private Buddhist hall enshrining a statue of the Shokannon as its principal image. It is believed that Hokkedo Temple stood where Yoritomo's grave is now located. Yoritomo was 53 when he died. He fell from his horse on his return from a Buddhist ceremony for a bridge building over the Sagami River. The true cause of his death, however, is not known. Some say he died of an illness or was assassinated.