- Culture
- Nara
Hozan-ji Temple
Ikoma Shoten of Hozan-ji Temple
Hozan-ji Temple is located on the hillside of Nara Prefecture's Mount Ikoma, worshiped as a mountain where gods reside since ancient times. With the enshrinement of Shoten, a Buddhist guardian god, Hozan-ji Temple has been affectionately called Ikoma Shoten. The deity Shoten is also called Kangiten and is said to grant all wishes in the present world. At Hozan-ji Temple, the Kangiten Festival is held on the first and 16th day of every month, and the temple becomes bustling with visitors praying for worldly wishes such as a thriving business.
Hozan-ji Temple Shishi-Kaku building
Shishi-Kaku is the guesthouse of Hozan-ji Temple built in 1884. The Western-style exterior features windows, arches on the outside door and colored glass; however, the wooden building was constructed by a carpenter specializing in shrines and temples. The Western-style building has a tiled roof and stained glass, but also includes a Japanese-style room, creating a unique blend of Western and Japanese style in beautiful harmony. The Meiji Era (1868-1912) saw various pseudo-Western architectures built throughout Japan, but the Shishi-Kaku building stands out exceptionally, and was designated as an important cultural property in 1961.
Kintetsu Ikoma Cable Car, the first cable car in Japan
When visiting Hozan-ji Temple, be sure to take the cable car. The Kintetsu Ikoma Cable Line opened in 1918 as the first cable car in Japan (Hozan-ji Line). The line was then extended to Mount Ikoma (Sanjo Line), making it the oldest and the longest (total length of 2 kilometers) cable car in Japan. Original cars from the time of its first opening were in operation until February 2000, but now cable cars in unique designs like dog (Bull) and cat (Mike) are gaining popularity. The year 2018 marked the 100-year anniversary of the line's opening.
Location
| Name | Hozan-ji Temple |
|---|---|
| Website | https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00502/ |
| Address | 1ｰ1 Monzen-cho, Ikoma-shi, Nara |
| Access | From Ikoma Station on the Kintetsu Railway, take the cable car to Hozan-ji Station, then walk approximately 10 minutes. |
| Business Hours | 8:00 to 16:30 (April to September) 8:00 to 16:00 (October to March) |
| Inquiries | TEL: 0743ｰ73ｰ2006 |
| Admission | Free |
