Kinreizan Sogenji Temple, the Great Master of Evil Prevention

Records show that Kinreizan Sogenji Temple was founded around 1500. The principal image of the temple is Amida Nyorai. Until the early Meiji period, the temple was under the jurisdiction of the neighboring Yawata, and was affectionately known as "Miyadera" by local residents (although it may have been founded earlier, as the inscription on the Yawata Shrine ridgepole reads, "Planned on March 12, 1457, by Sogenji Mochihi Chisumiyoshi"). Within the shrine grounds is a storehouse for storing festival floats, including the Higashi float from the Otani Oku area. The temple enshrines three statues of Kobo Daishi. The statue of Daishi in the Chuo is said to depict Daishi at the age of 38, wielding a sacred sword and driving away giant snake demons living in the densely forested mountains and lakes with the mysterious power of goma offerings. Many worshippers visit the statue as the miraculous "Daishi who wards off all evil." The temple is also known for its "carriage offerings." In 1923, a man was traveling around the country in a pilgrimage, with two dogs pulling a wooden cart, hoping to recover from an illness. He received a message in a dream and visited the temple. When he visited, his disability was cured, and he dedicated the cart. The cart is still preserved in the Kobo Hall today. In the annex hall on the left side of the main gate, Fudo Myo-o and Konpira Daigongen are enshrined, and prayers are held here for good catches, prosperous business, and other such things. In addition, in the Koshin-do Hall in front of the temple, Koshin-sama, Tenjin-sama, the god of learning, and En-no-gyoja-sama are enshrined, and the smiling boy is a popular attraction among worshippers for his smile that embodies the Zen phrase "gentle face and kind words." In addition, beautiful flowers blooming with the changing seasons, including lotus flowers that bloom from June to July, await your visit.