What other travelers are saying about Chionji Temple
This a very quiet but extensive Zen Buddhist foundation. As such there is a distinct lack of ferocious guardian deities and other such highly colored statuary. The monastery is known for its academic achievements and there are small votive shrines throughout the temple precinct
Chionji Temple is a Buddhist temple near the entrance of the Amanohashidate sandbar. People visit this temple to pray for academic success and to pass their exams. There is a two story pagoda on the temple ground and can be seen after entering the massive gate. This is also one of the places to see in Amanohashidate.
Such a beautiful temple made even better which it's location so close to the water. If you're collecting stamps, this shrine has 3. (The cat one is located at the information centre).
Very beautiful temple. Very small but the only one I saw that had like a 360° path around the prayer area.
You Can also find 3 different stamps there (if you ibterested in callecting stamps).
There was no queue to get the goshuin. It was 500¥. And the people could also speak a little bit English. It was very friendly and relaxing to walk around even with the amount of tourists
Great historical Buddhist temple in Japan.
Entrance gate "Sanmon" and Many-Jeweled Pagoda "Tahoto" are impressive!
Chionji Temple is dedicated to Monju Bosatsu, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, and is recognized as one of Japan's three major Monju temples. Students and their families visit to pray for academic success and good fortune in entrance exams and qualification tests. The temple also sells Chie-no-Mochi (Wisdom Mochi), traditional sweets made from adzuki beans and rice that are believed to bestow wisdom upon those who eat them. These are available exclusively at the four tea houses at the temple gate.
The principal statue of Monju Bosatsu riding a lion is rarely displayed to the public. Special viewings are limited to specific dates only, including the first three days of the new year, January 10, and July 24. Outside these dates, the statue remains closed to visitors.
The temple's two-storied pagoda is its most significant structure. Built in 1501 during the Muromachi period by Harunobu Nobunaga, it is the oldest wooden structure in Miyazu City and was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1904. The temple also features other notable Edo-period structures including the main hall, front gate, and hojo.
The temple is approximately a five-minute walk from Amanohashidate Station on the Kitakinki Tango Railway Miyazu Line. For those driving, parking is available at ¥700 per day for cars (100 spaces) and ¥1,500 per day for buses (10 spaces). Parking operates from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on a first-come, first-served basis without reservations, though spaces may be unavailable during busy periods.
