Mount Ikoma is between Osaka and Nara, and Hozanji Temple is on its Nara side.
If visiting by train, get off at Kintetsu Ikoma Station. From there, you can take the cable car at the Torii-mae Station next to the train station. The ride to Hozanji Station takes about six minutes. After getting off the cable car, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Hozanji Temple.
Alternatively, you can walk along the 1.5-kilometer pilgrimage path from Kintetsu Ikoma Station, which takes around 30 minutes. However, it’s quite a steep climb.
This area was originally established as a training ground by the ascetic En no Gyoja and the monk Kukai.
In 1678, the monk Tankai Risshi restored this place. In the main hall, his hand-carved statue of Fudo Myo-o is enshrined as the main deity.
Next to it, Kankiten is enshrined in Shoten Hall and is fondly known as “Ikoma’s Shoten-sama.” Many beautiful temple buildings stand with a large rock wall in the background.
The temple is deeply revered by people praying for business success and other blessings.
On the center right is the Main Hall, and in the back on the center left is Shoten Hall.
Behind the temple buildings stands a large rock wall known as Hannya-kutsu.
Tahoto pagoda
From here, the path leads to the Inner Sanctuary.
The Inner Sanctuary lies at the top of a long staircase.
From the Inner Sanctuary, you can see across Nara.
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