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.
