Kogen-ji Temple

Overview

Kogen-ji Temple is a Rinzai-shū Myōshin-ji branch temple located in Hinokura, Aogaki-cho, Tango City, Hyogo Prefecture. Its mountain name is Zuiōzan, and its principal image is Shaka Nyorai (the historical Buddha). Founded in 1325 (during the Shōchū era) by Zen master Enkei Soyu, the temple is renowned for its breathtaking autumn foliage. The temple grounds are ablaze with color, especially the "tenmoku-kaede" maple trees, captivating visitors with their beauty. Kogen-ji is known as one of the "Three Great Autumn Foliage Temples of Tanba," along with Entsu-ji and Sekkan-ji Temples, and is also the 4th temple on the Kansai Twenty-Five Flower Temples pilgrimage. Kogen-ji houses several important structures, including a Butsuden (main hall), Tenmangu Shrine, Shinji Pond, Hojo (abbot's quarters), bell tower, a pagoda, the mountain gate, Tankyuso (a building), and a main gate. The Butsuden, also called the Hōōden, was rebuilt around 1720 (during the Kyōhō era) by Ten Gankei Kaisen. The principal image, a seated Shaka Nyorai, is said to be the work of Enchin, a Tendai Buddhist monk. There's also a legend that the Nyorai Kanzeon statue was created by Ono no Takamura. The pagoda, which looks like a three-story pagoda, houses a rinzō (a rotating repository for sutras) inside. It was built around 1790 (during the Kansei era) by Ko Gan Gen'ei. It enshrines the Kaiun Bishamonten, a gold Buddha statue said to have come from the Three Kingdoms period and to have been crafted by the Indian sculptor Bisukuma. Kogen-ji offers a tranquil space where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of the changing seasons. We invite you to visit and experience it for yourself.