Hozanji Temple (Ikoma Shoden)

The official kanji for Hozanji Temple is Hozan-ji, and it is also called Ikoma Shoden or Ikoma no Shoden-san because it enshrines Shoden as a guardian deity.

Located halfway up Mount Ikoma, which is said to have been a place of ascetic practice for En no Gyoja (En no Shokaku), the temple is known for its belief in Shoden, one of Japan’s three holy heavenly deities enshrining the god of commerce, and attracts the faith of those seeking worldly benefits.

The approach to the temple from the foot of the mountain is one of the largest in western Japan, with more than 1,000 steps including the inner sanctuary.

On the 1st and 16th of each month, the “Kinkiten Go-en-nichi” is held to pray for prosperous business, attracting many worshippers.

Mt. Ikoma, which straddles Nara and Osaka Prefectures at an elevation of 642 m, is known for the legend of En no Gyoja’s extermination of demons, and Kukai (Kobo Daishi) is said to have practiced asceticism there, with a waterfall training site and shrine.

Hozanji Temple was founded in 1678 by Tankai, who is regarded as the de facto founder of the temple. Against the backdrop of a large rock wall called Hannya-grotto, the main hall, Seitendo, Dabodo, and Emadodo were built.

The colored glass Shishikaku, a Western-style building built in 1884 as a guest house, attracts visitors.

In the spacious precincts of the temple, there are many buildings of high historical value, and visitors can experience the historical aspects of the temple in a relaxing atmosphere.

The temple is known as a place to make wishes come true in this life, and is visited by people who wish for prosperity in business and abstinence from alcohol.