[Himeji City] “Shoshazan Engyoji” A spot with beautiful autumn leaves and fresh greenery easily accessible by ropeway

• Table of Contents
• Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple, a 1000-year-old temple
• Highlights of Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple
• The best season is the autumn foliage season
• Events to enjoy Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple
• How to get to Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple
• Great value tickets
• This is the ticket for those who want to enjoy both Kobe and Himeji!
• basic information

Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple, a 1000-year-old temple

For those who grew up in Himeji, Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple (hereinafter referred to as Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple) is a familiar spot. It is a familiar place for elementary school camping trips both today and in the past.

Shosha-san Engyo-ji Temple was founded in 966. It is said that the temple's founder, the monk Shoku, was led by purple clouds into the mountain and saw a heavenly being worshiping a cherry tree halfway up the rocky mountain, which led him to carve a statue of Kannon into the tree. Since then, it has a history of over 1,000 years.

Its official name is "Tendai Sect Special Head Temple Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple," and as its name suggests, it is a temple that holds a special position within the Tendai sect. It is the 27th temple of the Thirty-Three Kannon Temples of the Western Provinces (the Kannon pilgrimage that is said to be the oldest), and is the largest of all the temples. It is known as one of the three major training centers of the Tendai sect along with Mount Hiei and Mount Daisen, and is a place of faith also known as "Mount Hiei of the West," with many members of the imperial family and aristocrats visiting from Kyoto.

The 2024 NHK Taiga drama "To You, the Shining One" is a drama with Murasaki Shikibu as the main character, and is set in the era when Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple was founded. Emperor Kazan had a deep connection with Shoku Shonin, who visited him to seek ties with Buddhism and bestowed the temple with the name "Engyo-ji Temple." The poet Izumi Shikibu visited the temple with Empress Shoshi, who served alongside Murasaki Shikibu.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the period when Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple was founded will be portrayed.

An anecdote about Izumi Shikibu is introduced on the pilgrimage route.

In later times, Musashibo Benkei, who followed Minamoto no Yoshitsune, trained here, and related items are still passed down to this day. During the Sengoku period, Hashiba Hideyoshi's troops were stationed here, making it a place with a rich history.

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"Goho Stone" also known as "Benkei's Beanbag Stone"

Highlights of Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple

Shosha-san Engyo-ji Temple is located on top of Mt. Shosha at an altitude of 371 meters, but it can be reached in about 4 minutes by using the Shosha-san Ropeway. At the mountaintop station, there is an observation deck called Miorosso Shosha, from which you can get a panoramic view of the city of Himeji.

There is also a lucky charm called "kawarake throwing" that you can try out.

There is a donation office in the back.

After getting off the ropeway at Yamagami Station, the pilgrimage route continues. Along the way, there is a donation office where you pay a donation of 500 yen before entering the mountain. From here, you can take a minibus to Maniden-shita for an additional 500 yen (round trip).

The spacious grounds contain several buildings designated as important cultural properties by the nation and prefecture, and although there are no apparent boundaries, the area is divided into three major areas.

One of them is the Higashidani valley that stretches from Niomon Gate to Jumyoji Temple.

The pilgrimage route (Higashizaka) continues up to the Niomon Gate, allowing visitors to make a pilgrimage to the 33 sacred sites of the Western Provinces.

Niomon Gate. A place with beautiful maple trees.

Beyond the Niomon Gate is the temple grounds. You'll feel as though the atmosphere has changed mysteriously.

Songs displayed at Maniden Hall

As the chant of Engyo-ji Temple on Mount Shosha says, "If you climb all the way up Mount Shosha, even the sound of the pine branches swaying in the wind will become the sound of prayer," you can experience a state of mind where even the sound of the pine branches swaying in the wind sounds like words of prayer.

Along the way, there are benches in open areas where you can take a break.

From here you can see the castle tower of Himeji Castle, which you can't see from the ropeway.

If you take the shuttle minibus, you won't go along the approach to the shrine that I just introduced. However, the approach to the shrine is a steep hill and not an easy place to walk, so we recommend using the minibus for elderly people, people with strollers, and those who are worried about their physical strength.

A minibus running on a special road. Photographed from the pilgrimage route.

Beyond Higashidani is Nakadani, centered around Maniden (Kannon Hall).

You will be awed by the Maniden Hall, which is built in the uniquely Japanese "stage-style" (also called "kakezukuri" or "hanging-style") architecture style, which is built into cliffs or rock faces, just like Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Kyoto City).

It is especially spectacular during the autumn foliage season. You can view it from below or from the stage. It is a spot where you can fully enjoy autumn.

In front of Maniden Hall, there is Hazuki Teahouse, which sells snacks and souvenirs.

(Photo provided by Shoshazan Engyoji Temple)

Finally, there is Nishitani, which contains three halls and the Okunoin.

There are two routes from Maniden to the three halls: one that goes from under Maniden and one that goes behind it.

Personally, I recommend taking the route from behind Maniden. Once you pass behind the shrine, which has an exciting atmosphere, you will find yourself on a pleasant path surrounded by greenery, including a large tree called the Thousand-Year Cedar and the Great Buddha, which was featured in the movie "The Last Samurai."

The "Sanno-do" (sometimes confused with the three halls, but with its own name "Sanno-do") is arranged in a U-shape, and from the left are the Jodo Hall with its dance hall, the long two-story dining hall (Jikido), and the large lecture hall with its two-story roof. All of these are designated as important cultural properties by the national government.

Photo taken on October 16, 2023. The maples are still green, but I can't wait for the autumn leaves to appear.

On the other side of the U-shape, there used to be a five-story pagoda, but it was burned down by lightning in 1331 (the 3rd year of the Gentoku era and the 1st year of the Genko era). Currently, the site is the mausoleum of the Honda family, who were the feudal lords of Himeji.

If you go around to the back of the Jyogyodo Hall and look around the bell tower and Kongo-do Hall, you can see beautiful autumn leaves. If you brought a packed lunch, you can enjoy it while enjoying the view around the observation park.

Photo taken on October 16, 2023. The bell tower. The maples were starting to change color.

Photographed in 2007. Kongo-do Hall

It takes about 2 to 3 hours just to look around Maniden and Sannodo. There are many other things to see, such as Hakusan Gongen (Eleven-faced Hall) if you go to Okunoin or the top of Mt. Shosha.

The statues of Kongorikishi supporting the eaves of the Kaisan-do Hall in the inner sanctuary are said to have been made by Hidari Jingorō.

The best season is the autumn foliage season

The busiest season at Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple is autumn, when the leaves change color.

From late October to the end of November, you can enjoy the autumn leaves not only within the temple grounds but also from inside the Shosha Ropeway.

In front of Zuikoin temple gate. Photographed in 2007

There are many places to see autumn leaves within the temple grounds. Here and there, you can see the beauty of the leaves turning gradations of red and yellow as they are bathed in sunlight filtering through evergreen trees such as cedars and pines.

Photographing the garden of Jumyō-in from outside the walls

(Photo provided by Shoshazan Engyoji Temple)

Events to enjoy Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple

Many events are held at Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple. There are a number of important events held at the temple and shrine, but the main ones that are crowded with general visitors are as follows.

December 31st

・January 1st: New Year's Eve

・First visit to a shrine (Shoshazan Ropeway operates from the nighttime on New Year's Eve 12/31 to the early morning on the first sunrise of January 1st, and operates at night as well)

January 18th: Shusho-e

・February 3rd: Setsubun Festival

・Star Festival

・Early May: Shoshasan New Green Festival

・Mid-November Shosha Mountain Maple Festival

In addition to these, various other events are planned, such as the Yumesaki Dream Lantern Festival to be held in August 2023, so please check the official website or social media for information.

Tools and costumes used in Shussui-e. Exhibited on the second floor of the dining hall (treasure floor, free to view)

You can try out copying sutras every day. Copying the Heart Sutra (cost: 1,000 yen) takes about an hour, but the "flower petal copying" (300 yen), which is done on colored paper in the shape of flower petals, is popular as it can be completed in about 10 minutes.

Additionally, daily prayer meetings are live-streamed on social media.

How to get to Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple

You can access Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple by car or bus.

If you are coming by car, try searching for "Engyo-ji" or "Engyo-ji" on your car navigation system, but it will not come up. Even if it does come up, you cannot get there as it is located on top of the mountain. Please search for "Shosha-no-Sato Art and Craft Museum (tel. 079-267-0301)" which is located next to the Shosha Ropeway station at the foot of the mountain.

Next to the Shosha Ropeway station, there is a free parking lot that can accommodate about 270 cars (regular cars). Although it may seem like a lot, it fills up during tourist seasons such as autumn leaves season.

There are two public bus routes. Take the bus bound for Shosha Ropeway from bus stop 10 at Himeji Station (North Exit) Bus Terminal, which ends at the end of the line, or take the bus bound for Shosha Nishi Housing and Yamazaki from bus stop 18, which ends in front of the Shosha Post Office. Both routes run about three times an hour during the day.

Shosha Ropeway Base Station and Shosha Ropeway Bus Stop are a short walk away. Shosha Post Office is about a 7-minute walk away. If the Shosha Ropeway Bus Stop is crowded on the way back, we recommend using the bus stop in front of Shosha Post Office.

Great value tickets

If you're only visiting Mt. Shosha, this is the ticket for you!

Shosha Ropeway Set Ticket

A round-trip ticket for the Shoshazan Ropeway and a round-trip bus ticket to the north exit of Himeji Station. The fare is 1,700 yen for adults (850 yen for children). Please note that only cash can be used for purchases.

A must-see for those planning to stay in Himeji

Shirono Town Tour 2-Day Ticket

For those visiting Himeji and staying overnight, the "Shiro no Machi Meguri 2-Day Ticket" includes unlimited rides on city center buses for two days and a round-trip ticket for the Shoshazan Ropeway, 1,900 yen for adults (950 yen for children).

Where to buy: 1st floor of Q-ELL Himeji, located right next to the bus rotary at the north exit of Himeji Station

Business hours: 8:00am to 8:00pm (6:00pm on weekends and holidays)

This is the ticket for those who want to enjoy both Kobe and Himeji!

The Hyogo Amazing Pass is a recommended ticket for touring Hyogo Prefecture that can be used for 2,500 yen per day.

With this ticket, you can not only ride Hyogo Prefecture's route buses (orange Shinki buses) all day long, but also ride the City Loop and Port Loop that connect Kobe's major tourist spots! You can go from Kobe Sannomiya to Kobe-Sanda Premium Outlets.

This is especially recommended for those who are planning to visit Himeji or Kobe on the same day.

Click here for details and to purchase the Hyogo Amazing Pass

Luggage storage service

Would you like to go sightseeing empty-handed?

*This article is current as of October 2023. Prices include tax. Product contents and prices may be subject to change.

basic information

Shoshazan Engyoji Temple (Shoshazan Engyoji Temple)

Address: 2968 Shosha, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture

Phone number: 079-266-3327

Opening hours: Winter 8:30am - 5pm Spring - Autumn 8:30am - 6pm (extended hours on Sundays and holidays)

Closed: Open everyday (Shosha Ropeway may close on certain days)

Donation: Adults (junior high school students and above) 500 yen, elementary school students 300 yen, preschoolers free, plus 500 yen for use of the shuttle minibus (round trip)

Website: http://www.shosha.or.jp

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Mount Shosha Ropeway

Address: 1199-2 Shosha, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture

Telephone: 079-266-2006

Opening hours: First bus departs at 8:30am, every 15 minutes. Last bus may vary depending on the season (see official website )

Closed: Long-term suspension of service usually around February due to regular inspection and maintenance (Tuesday, February 13th to Wednesday, March 13th in 2024)

Fare: Adults: 600 yen one way, 1,000 yen round trip; Children: 300 yen one way, 500 yen round trip

From the north exit of Himeji Station, you can purchase a "Shoshazan Ropeway Set Ticket" that includes a bus ride (1,700 yen for adults, 850 yen for children).

Access: (Car) 5.5 km east from Sanyo Expressway "Sanyo Himeji Nishi Interchange", 7.5 km northwest from Himeji Bypass "Nakaji Ramp", 11 km south from Chugoku Expressway "Yumesaki Smart Interchange" Access (Bus) Shinki Bus Himeji Station North Exit "Platform 10 (Route 8)" to "Shoshazan Ropeway (Engyo-ji)" for about 30 minutes

Parking: Approximately 270 standard-sized cars, free

HP: https://www.mt-shosha.info

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