Introduction to Choho-ji Temple with Goshuin
🌸 Saigoku Thirty-three Kannon Pilgrimage, Temple No. 18
⛩️ Shiun-zan Choho-ji Temple (Rokkaku-do)
〜Founded by Prince Shotoku, the birthplace of Ikebana! An ancient temple known as the navel of Kyoto〜
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Honestly, at first, I only had the image of it being "a temple right in the middle of Karasuma," but...
I was surprised when I went there.
Founded by Prince Shotoku, the retreat of Shinran Shonin,
the birthplace of Ikebana, the "Navel Stone" at the center of Kyoto,
the hexagonal main hall and white pigeons...
This place was packed with amazing things 🙏
Even though it is right near the bustling downtown area,
once you step into the temple grounds, it is strangely quiet and relaxing.
It is a place I definitely want you to stop by when you come to Kyoto.
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🏷️ Basic Information
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【Official Name】 Shiun-zan Choho-ji Temple
【Common Name】 Rokkaku-do, Rokkaku-san
【Sect】 Independent Tendai-related (formerly Tendai sect)
【Mountain Name】 Shiun-zan
【Principal Image】 Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu (Hidden Buddha)
【Founder】 Prince Shotoku (Prince Umayado)
【Founded】 587 (2nd year of Emperor Yomei)
Mantra of the Principal Image: On barada handomei un
📍 Address
248 Donomae-cho, Rokkaku-dori Higashinotoin-nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8134
TEL: 075-221-2686
Official Website: https://www.ikenobo.jp/rokkakudo/
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🙏 Principal Image and Benefits
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The principal image is the "Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu (Hidden Buddha)."
It is a small statue measuring only 1 sun 8 bu (approx. 5.5 cm),
and it is said that Prince Shotoku carried it with him at all times as his personal guardian Buddha.
It is a strictly hidden Buddha, enshrined within a triple shrine,
so it cannot usually be viewed directly.
(The front-facing statue is a six-armed seated Nyoirin Kannon statue)
Benefits:
✦ Finding love and romantic fulfillment
✦ Fertility and safe childbirth
✦ Health, longevity, and recovery from illness
✦ Good luck, attracting fortune, and fulfillment of various wishes
✦ Fulfillment of heart's desires (The "Rokkaku" (hexagon) of Rokkaku-do is also said to be related to the purification of the six senses)
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📖 History
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■ Founded by Prince Shotoku (587)
In 587, the second year of Emperor Yomei, Prince Shotoku visited this area with Ono no Imoko
in search of timber for the construction of Shitenno-ji Temple in Osaka.
When he tried to bathe in the pond, he hung his guardian Nyoirin Kannon statue
on a nearby tree branch, but suddenly the statue became heavy
and would not come off the tree.
That night, the Kannon statue told the Prince, "I want to stay in this place
and save the people."
Receiving this divine message, the Prince used the spiritual wood indicated by an old man (the guardian deity, Karasaki Myojin) who appeared from the east
to build a hexagonal hall.
This was the beginning of Choho-ji Temple.
■ Became an Imperial Prayer Temple for Emperor Saga (822)
In 822 (13th year of Koin), it became an imperial prayer temple for Emperor Saga,
establishing a formal connection with the Imperial Court.
■ The Heian Capital Relocation and the Legend of the "Navel Stone" (794)
During the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyo in 794,
Rokkaku-do happened to be right in the path of the main street.
It is said that when Emperor Kanmu prayed, the temple hall moved itself
five jo (approx. 15m) to the north overnight.
At that time, only the foundation stone (navel stone) remained in place,
and since then, it has been cherished as the "center of Kyoto = navel."
■ Became a Sacred Site of the Saigoku Thirty-three (996)
In 996, Emperor Kazan, who is also said to be the restorer of the Saigoku Thirty-three,
visited the temple, and it was added to the Saigoku sacred sites.
■ Retreat of Shinran Shonin (1201)
In 1201, the 29-year-old Shinran Shonin, who was training on Mt. Hiei,
spent 100 days in retreat at this Rokkaku-do.
At dawn on the 95th day, he received a dream message from the principal image, Kuse Bosatsu (an incarnation of Prince Shotoku),
and decided to head to Honen Shonin in Yoshimizu.
It is also a historic place that became the root of the later founding of Jodo Shinshu.
A "Shinran-do" hall has been built on the temple grounds.
■ Birthplace of Ikebana - Ikenobo
There used to be a pond on the north side of the temple grounds,
and because a monk's residence was placed by the pond where the Prince bathed,
it came to be called "Ikenobo."
Ono no Imoko is considered the founder, and it is said that "Kado" (the way of flowers) began when Imoko, who became a monk by the order of Prince Shotoku,
offered flowers before the Buddha.
Since the Muromachi period, many masters of Ikebana have been produced from Ikenobo,
and even today, as the general headquarters of "Kado Ikenobo,"
Rokkaku-do is known to the world as the birthplace of Japanese Ikebana.
■ Current Main Hall (1877)
Since its founding, it has been rebuilt repeatedly despite suffering many fires,
and the current main hall is a building from 1877.
It features a rare architectural style called "Rokkaku Hogyo-zukuri" (hexagonal pyramidal roof),
which is hexagonal in plan when viewed from directly above.
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📜 Sacred Site Information (Details)
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▶ Saigoku Thirty-three Kannon Pilgrimage, Temple No. 18
The oldest pilgrimage route in Japan, "Saigoku Thirty-three," certified as a Japan Heritage.
Go-eika (Pilgrim's Poem):
"My inner thoughts are like the six corners of the hall,
I pray that they may become round."
(Meaning: Like the hexagonal hall of Rokkaku-do, I pray that the "corners" in my heart may be rounded off)
▶ Rakuyo Thirty-three Kannon Pilgrimage, Temple No. 1
The "head" of the Rakuyo Thirty-three, which tours 33 locations in Kyoto city.
It is truly a temple suitable as a starting point for a pilgrimage.
▶ Prince Shotoku Sacred Site Pilgrimage, Temple No. 25
▶ Juzu Pilgrimage, Temple No. 3
▶ Path of Shinto and Buddhist Pilgrimages (Kyoto)
▶ Association of Kyoto Common Name Temples
With so many sacred sites overlapping,
it is a "major hub for pilgrims"!
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🌿 Highlights
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🏯 Main Hall (Rokkaku-do)
Standing in the middle of Kyoto city,
a rare hall that is hexagonal when viewed from directly above.
The current building was rebuilt in 1877.
The vermilion pillars and hexagonal roof have a unique beauty.
The standing statue of Bishamonten enshrined inside is an Important Cultural Property!
🪨 Navel Stone (Heso-ishi)
A hexagonal foundation stone placed on the east side of the main hall.
It is a legendary stone that remained when only the hall moved during the Heian capital relocation,
and it has been worshipped since ancient times as "this is the center of Kyoto = navel."
A charming spot affectionately called "Heso-ishi-san."
🕊️ White Pigeons and the Willow Spirit
Many pigeons live on the temple grounds,
and they have long been considered lucky charms as "lucky white pigeons."
Also, there is a weeping willow on the grounds,
known as the "Willow Spirit" that appears in the Ikenobo legend.
The scenery of the spring weeping willow and the main hall is exquisite!
🧑🌾 Taishi-do Hall / Two-year-old Namu-butsu Statue
A hall dedicated to Prince Shotoku located in the northeast corner of the grounds.
It houses the "Two-year-old Namu-butsu Prince Statue," which is said to be the image of the 2-year-old Prince facing east and chanting "Namu-butsu."
It is one of the centers of Prince Shotoku worship.
🙏 Shinran-do Hall (Nomi-no-Miei-do)
A hall commemorating the place where Shinran Shonin spent 100 days in retreat and received a divine message.
It is a special sacred place for followers of Jodo Shinshu.
⛩️ Karasaki Myojin Shrine (Guardian Shrine)
A guardian shrine located in the southeast of the grounds.
It enshrines the "Old Man = Karasaki Myojin" who taught the Prince the location of the spiritual wood when he was building Rokkaku-do.
An annual festival is held every July.
🌸 Ikebana Museum (Ikenobo Building 3rd Floor)
Permanent exhibition on the 3rd floor of the Ikenobo Building adjacent to Rokkaku-do.
Valuable materials such as the history of Ikebana, flower arrangement books, flower vases, paintings, and ancient documents are on display.
(Usually requires advance reservation. No reservation needed during the "Kyoto Winter Travel" period)
🐦 Pond under the Main Hall / Swans
There is a pond directly under the hall,
and in winter, you can sometimes see swans swimming!
This scenery in the middle of Kyoto's downtown is moving.
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📅 Annual Events
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🌸 April 8 (Buddha's Birthday)
Shakuson Kotan-e (Flower Festival)
A memorial service to celebrate the birth of Buddha.
The water pavilion is decorated with flowers, making the grounds gorgeous.
🌸 Spring (Mid to late March)
Spring Ikebana Exhibition
The temple grounds and Ikenobo Building become the venue,
and Ikebana works by the Ikenobo head family are exhibited.
Light-ups are also held, so you can enjoy Rokkaku-do at night!
🌿 Around July 24
Karasaki Myojin Annual Festival (9:30 - approx. 30 minutes)
The once-a-year annual festival of the guardian shrine, Karasaki Myojin.
🏮 August 23
Jizo-bon Memorial Service (at Jizo-yama)
A traditional summer event with many visitors with children from the neighborhood.
❄️ January - March (Kyoto Winter Travel)
Special Opening of Non-public Cultural Properties
During the "Kyoto Winter Travel" period, special worship of the main hall's inner sanctuary is possible!
You can enter the inner sanctuary, which is usually off-limits, and view the Buddha statues up close.
A special exhibition of temple treasures at the Ikebana Museum is also held at the same time.
Fee: 800 yen (Inner sanctuary worship fee + Ikebana Museum admission fee)
※ No reservation required (for individuals)
🕊️ Year-round
Hato-mikuji (Cute pigeon-shaped fortune slip)
A fortune slip shaped like a white pigeon.
It is popular because it is cute even if you take it home and display it!
✂️ Limited Time
Paper-cut Goshuin ("Souda Kyoto, Ikou." collaboration)
A special paper-cut Goshuin featuring weeping cherry blossoms and the main hall
is awarded for a limited time. Please check the official website for the latest information.
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💰 Worship Fees / Goshuin
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【Admission Fee】 Free!
You can visit the temple grounds for free.
【Worship Hours】
Temple grounds opening: 6:00 - 17:00
Scripture office (Goshuin) reception: 8:00 - 17:00
【Ikebana Museum】
Usually: Advance reservation required (details on official website)
During "Kyoto Winter Travel" period: No reservation required, paid (800 yen set)
【Main Hall Inner Sanctuary Special Opening】
Only during "Kyoto Winter Travel" period: 800 yen
(Set with Ikebana Museum admission fee)
【Goshuin】 500 yen
Award location: Temple grounds scripture office (handwritten)
Types of Goshuin:
✦ Saigoku Thirty-three No. 18 "Rokkaku-do" (Regular, representative Goshuin)
✦ Saigoku Thirty-three Go-eika
✦ Rakuyo Thirty-three Kannon Pilgrimage No. 1
✦ Prince Shotoku Sacred Site Pilgrimage No. 25
✦ Paper-cut Goshuin (Limited time, "Souda Kyoto, Ikou." collaboration)
【Original Goshuin Book】 Available
【Saigoku Kannon Mandala (Octagonal Scripture Slip)】 3,000 yen
(Set with a dedicated mount for pasting scripture slips from 33 locations)
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🚗 Access / Parking
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【Address】
248 Donomae-cho, Rokkaku-dori Higashinotoin-nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8134
【Access by Train】
① Hankyu Kyoto Line "Karasuma Station" → approx. 4-minute walk (shortest!)
② Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line "Karasumaoike Station" → approx. 6-minute walk
③ Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line "Shijo Station" → approx. 7-minute walk
【Access by Bus】
Kyoto City Bus "Shijo Karasuma" bus stop → approx. 5-6 minute walk
(3, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13, 26, 29, 31, 32, 43, 46, 51, 55, 65,
Express 101, 201, 203, 207 systems, etc., many available)
【Parking】
✦ Temple-dedicated parking: None (practically none)
✦ Use nearby parking
→ Kyoto Municipal Oike Underground Parking (approx. 1,000 spaces)
250 yen every 30 minutes / Overnight (21:00 - 9:00) 1,500 yen
TEL: 075-253-2760 / 6:00 - 24:00
→ Many coin parking lots in the vicinity
※ Since it is in the middle of the downtown area, access by train/subway is overwhelmingly convenient!
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✍️ Summary
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Even though admission is free, Rokkaku-do (Choho-ji) is packed with this much history and highlights.
Prince Shotoku, Shinran Shonin, Ono no Imoko, Emperor Kazan...
The fact that a place involved with such illustrious historical figures
is in the middle of Kyoto's downtown
is truly amazing once again.
The good access of a 4-minute walk from Hankyu Karasuma Station is also attractive,
and coming by city bus from Rokuharamitsu-ji (No. 17),
and continuing to walk to Gyogan-ji (No. 19) is also
a recommended route 🙏✨
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