Daikokuji is an ancient temple founded in 665 by En no Gyoja, the legendary mystic and forefather of Japan's highly-syncretic Shugendo religion. The principal object of worship at the temple is a statue of the deity Daikokuten, said to have been carved by En no Gyoja on receiving a missive from the deity. It drew worshippers as the first holy site dedicated to Daikokuten within Japan, and thrived as it drew patronage from prominent defenders of the Kawachi territory during the Muromachi era. These included the prominent Hatakeyama clan, among others. However, during the 16th century, the temple would fall on Nobunaga Oda's side of the battle lines during the assault on Osaka. It was burned during the battle, then abandoned. It was only restored during the Edo era, when it became the Zen temple it remains today. The temple's immense bell was forged 400 years ago, and its sound was believed to have the power to save all living beings. The temple is also a holy site dedicated to the deity Kannon (and the eighth site on the Kawachi-Saigoku pilgrimage route) due to a statue of Kannon believed to have been donated by Motokuni Hatakeyama.

• address

  499 Oguro, Habikino-shi, Osaka, 583-0847

• general participation

  Hatsumode first shrine visits of the year, Setsubun day, ritual prayers, Grand Festival on April 3rd, etc.

• average time

  About 1 hour

• fax

  072-958-7778

• tel

  072-956-0953

• holiday

  No designated days closed

• open

  From morning until evening

• prices

  Free

• transport

  5-minute walk from Komagatani Station on the Kintetsu Minami Osaka Line

• url

  http://daikokuji.kt.fc2.com/
  http://www.geocities.jp/tendouzan_daikokuji/index.htm