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

• Table of Contents
• Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, a thousand-year-old temple
• Highlights of Shoshazan Engyoji Temple
• Best season is autumn leaves season
• An event to enjoy Shoshazan Engyoji Temple
• How to access Shoshazan Engyoji Temple
• great value tickets
• If you want to enjoy both Kobe and Himeji, this ticket is for you!
• basic information

Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, a thousand-year-old temple

For those who grew up in Himeji, "Shoshazan Engyoji" (hereinafter referred to as "Shoshazan Engyoji") is a familiar spot. It is a familiar sight at elementary school forest schools both now and in the past.

Shoshazan Engyoji Temple was founded in 966. Founder Shoku Shonin entered the mountain guided by a purple cloud and saw a celestial being worshiping a cherry tree halfway up a rocky mountain, which is why he carved a Kannon statue into a living tree. It is called the beginning. Since then, it has a history of over 1000 years.

The official name of this temple is ``Bekkoku Head Temple of the Tendai Sect, Shoshazan Engyoji'', and as the name suggests, it is a temple that has a special position within the Tendai Sect. It is the 27th temple in Saigoku's 33 Kannon pilgrimage sites (the oldest Kannon pilgrimage) and is the largest of the temples. It is known as one of the three major dojos of the Tendai sect, along with Mt. Hiei and Mt. Daisen, and is also known as the "Mt. Hiei of the West," a place of worship that is visited by many members of the imperial family and aristocrats from Kyoto.

The 2024 NHK Taiga drama ``Hikaru Kimi e'' is a drama with Murasaki Shikibu as the main character, and it is a story about the time when Shoshazan Enkyoji Temple was born. Cloistered Emperor Hanayama was a person deeply connected to Shoku Shonin, visiting him in search of a connection (kechien, a connection with Buddhism) and giving him the temple name ``Enkyoji.'' The poet Izumi Shikibu is visiting with Chugu Akiko, who served with Murasaki Shikibu.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the era in which Shoshazan Engyoji Temple was born will be depicted.

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

In later times, anecdotes about Musashibo Benkei, who followed Minamoto no Yoshitsune, trained here, as well as articles related to it, are still passed down, and during the Sengoku period, Hideyoshi Hashiba's army set up camp, so much history has accumulated here. It's also a place.

“Guho-ishi” also known as “Benkei’s beanbag stone”

Highlights of Shoshazan Engyoji Temple

Shoshazan Engyoji Temple is located on Mt. Shosha at an altitude of 371 meters, but can be reached in about 4 minutes using the Shosha Ropeway. Yamagami Station has an observation deck called ``Miorosso Shosha'' that offers a panoramic view of the city of Himeji.

There is also a ``kawarake throw'' for good luck, so be sure to give it a try.

There is a shrine in the back

The pilgrimage route continues after getting off the ropeway at Yamagami Station. On the way, there was a shrine stop and I paid a 500 yen deposit and entered the mountain. From here to Prince Mani, you can take a tour microbus for an additional 500 yen (round trip).

The large grounds are home to many buildings that have been designated as important cultural properties by the country or prefecture, and although there are no boundaries, they are divided into three main areas.

One is the ``Higashidani'' that runs from Niomon to Jumyoin.

A pilgrimage route (Higashisaka) continues up to Niomon, making it possible to visit the 33 Saigoku Sacred Sites.

Niomon. It is also a place with beautiful maple trees.

The precincts are beyond the Niomon gate. It feels like the atmosphere has strangely changed.

A poem hung in the Maniden

As the chant of Shosha Mountain Enkyoji Temple says, ``If you climb all the way, you'll reach the mountain of Shosha, and the sound of the pine trees will be a blessing.'' Even the sound of pine branches swaying in the wind can be heard as words of prayer. You can feel the state of coming.

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

From here you can see Himeji Castle's castle tower, which was not visible from the ropeway.

If you take the minibus, you will not be able to follow the approach I just introduced. However, the approach path is steep and not easy to walk, so we recommend using a microbus for elderly people, people using strollers, and people who are not physically fit.

A patrol microbus that runs on a dedicated road. Photographed from the pilgrim route

At the end of Higashitani is Nakatani, which is centered around Maniden (Kannondo).

Like Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Kyoto City), you will be overwhelmed by Mani-den, which is built on a cliff or rock surface in a uniquely Japanese architectural style called ``stage construction'' (also known as ``kake-zukuri'' or ``kake-zukuri''). will be done.

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

In front of Maniden is Hazuki Chaya, which sells snacks and souvenirs.

(Photo provided by Shoshazan Engyoji Temple)

Finally, there is Nishitani, which has three halls and Okunoin.

There are two routes from Maniden to the three halls; one goes from below Maniden and the other goes behind Maniden.

Personally, I recommend going by the route from behind Maniden. If you pass behind the shrine building, which has an exciting atmosphere, you will find yourself on a pleasant path surrounded by greenery, including a large tree called the Millennium Cedar and the Great Buddha statue that appeared in the movie ``The Last Samurai.''

Sanno-do (sometimes confused with Sanno-do, but its proper name is ``Sanno-do'') is lined up in a U-shape, and from the left is Jogyo-do where the dance hall is located, and the long and large hall. There is a two-story dining room (Jikido) and a large auditorium with a two-story roof. Both are nationally designated important cultural properties.

Photographed on October 16, 2023. It's still a green maple, but I can't wait for the autumn leaves.

There was a five-storied pagoda on the other side of the U-shape, but it was destroyed by lightning in 1331 (Gentoku 3, Genko 1). Currently, there is the mausoleum of the Honda family, the lords of Himeji.

You can see beautiful autumn leaves around the back of Jogyo-do Hall, where the bell tower and Kongo-do Hall are located. If you come with a packed lunch, it would be a good idea to eat it while enjoying the scenery around the observation park.

Photographed on October 16, 2023. Bell hall. The maples were starting to change color

Photographed in 2007. Kongodo

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

Kongorikishi statue supporting the eaves of Okunoin and Kaizando. It is said to have been written by Jingoro Hidashi.

Best season is autumn leaves season

Autumn is the busiest season at Shoshazan Engyoji Temple. It's autumn leaves season.

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

In front of the gate of Zuikoin. Photographed in 2007

There are many places to see the autumn leaves within the shrine grounds. You can see the beauty of autumn leaves everywhere, showing gradations of red and yellow in the sunlight filtering through the leaves of evergreen trees such as cedars and pines.

Photographing the garden of Jumyo-in Temple from outside the wall

(Photo provided by Shoshazan Engyoji Temple)

An event to enjoy Shoshazan Engyoji Temple

Many events are held at Shoshazan Engyoji Temple. There are many important events for temples and shrines, but the following are the main ones that attract a large number of visitors.

·December 31

・January 1st New Year's Eve

・New Year's visit (Shosha Ropeway 12/31 New Year's Eve night to 1/1 New Year's early morning service, night service available)

・January 18th revision meeting

・February 3rd Setsubun-e

・Star Festival

・Early May: Shoshayama Fresh Green Festival

・Mid-November Shoshayama Maple Festival

In addition to these, various other events are being held, such as the "Yumesaki Dream Lantern Festival" to be held in August 2023, so please check the official website and SNS for information.

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

Sutra copying experience is available every day. It takes about an hour to copy the Heart Sutra (costs 1,000 yen), but "petal copying" (300 yen), which is done on colored paper in the shape of a flower petal, can be done in about 10 minutes. It's popular because of it.

In addition, daily prayer meetings are streamed live on social media.

How to access Shoshazan Engyoji Temple

Shoshazan Engyoji Temple can be accessed by car or bus.

If you are driving by car, searching for ``Enkyoji'' or ``Enkyoji'' on your car navigation system will not show up. Even if you come out, you can't go on top of the mountain. Please search for "Shosha no Sato Arts and Crafts Museum (tel. 079-267-0301)" located next to the Shosha Ropeway stop at the foot of the mountain.

There is a free parking lot next to the Shosha Ropeway stop that can accommodate about 270 cars (regular cars). It may seem like a lot, but during tourist seasons such as the fall foliage season, it gets full.

For public transportation, there are two bus routes. From bus terminal 10 at Himeji Station (north exit), take the bus bound for Shosha Ropeway to the last stop, or from bus stop 18 bound for Shosha West Jutaku/Yamazaki, which takes you to the final stop in front of the Shosha Post Office. There are approximately 3 flights per hour on both lines during the day.

Shosha Ropeway Fumoto Station and Shosha Ropeway bus stop are just a short walk away. It is about a 7 minute walk to Shosha Post Office. If the Shosha Ropeway bus stop is crowded on your way back, we recommend using the Shosha Post Office bus stop.

great value tickets

If you only want to visit Mt. Shosha, this is the ticket!

Shosha Ropeway Set Ticket

A round-trip ticket for the Shosha Ropeway and a round-trip bus ticket to the north exit of Himeji Station. Price: 1,420 yen for adults (710 yen for children). Adult fares are 140 yen cheaper than usual, and you can save yourself the hassle of purchasing tickets at the ropeway station. Please note that purchases can only be made in cash.

A must-see ticket for those planning to stay in Himeji

Shirono Town Tour 2DAY Ticket

For those visiting Himeji with an overnight stay, the ``Shironomachi Meguri 2-Day Ticket'' includes unlimited rides on city center buses for 2 days and a round trip ticket to Mt. Shosha Ropeway for 1,600 yen for adults (800 yen for children).

Purchase location: 1st floor of ``Cuel Himeji'', right next to Himeji Station north exit bus rotary

Business hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)

If you want to enjoy both Kobe and Himeji, this ticket is for you!

The Hyogo Amazing Pass is a recommended ticket for touring around Hyogo Prefecture that can be used for just 1,000 yen per day .

With this ticket, you will not only be able to ride the route bus (Orange Shinki Bus) that runs within Hyogo Prefecture as many times as you like for one day, but also the City Loop and Port Loop, which connect Kobe's main tourist spots. Unlimited rides! You can go from Kobe Sannomiya to Kobe Sanda Premium Outlets.

It is especially recommended for those who are going sightseeing in Himeji City or Kobe City on the same day.

Click here for purchase and details of Hyogo Amazing Pass

Baggage storage service

Would you like to sightsee empty-handed?

*This article is information as of October 2023. Prices include tax. Product contents and prices may change.

basic information

Shoshazan Engyoji Temple (Shoshazan Engyoji Temple)

Address: 2968 Shosha, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture

Phone number: 079-266-3327

Business hours: Winter 8:30-17:00 Spring-Autumn 8:30-18:00 (extended on Sundays and public holidays)

Regular holidays: No holidays (Shosha ropeway service may be closed)

Donation fee: General (junior high school students and above) 500 yen, elementary school students 300 yen, preschool children free, additional 500 yen for use of circular microbus (round trip)

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

SNS: Facebook , Instagram , X (formerly Twitter)

Shosha Ropeway

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

Phone number: 079-266-2006

Business hours: The first flight runs every 15 minutes from 8:30, the last flight varies depending on the season (see official website )

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

Fares: Adults 600 yen one way, 1,000 yen round trip, children 300 yen one way, 500 yen round trip

"Shoshayama Ropeway Set Ticket" (adults 1,420 yen, children 710 yen) that comes with a route bus from Himeji Station North Exit is available.

Access: (Car) From Sanyo Expressway "Sanyo Himeji Nishi Interchange" 5.5 km east, from Himeji Bypass "Nakachi Ramp" 7.5 km northwest, from Chugoku Jukan Expressway "Yumezen Smart Interchange" south 11km Access (Bus) Approximately 30 minutes by Shinki Bus Himeji Station North Exit ``Shosha Ropeway (Enkyoji Temple)'' from ``No. 10 Platform (8 lines)''

Parking lot: Approximately 270 regular cars, free of charge

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

SNS: Facebook , Instagram , X (formerly Twitter), YouTube