Jikoji Temple
Jikoji is an ancient temple with deep ties to historical mystic En no Gyoja. It also offers a shuttle service from Hiraoka Station during its spring and autumn Toakeshiki and Tojimeshiki opening and closing ceremonies. During the fall season, the temple grounds are vibrant with autumn foliage from trees over 200 years old.
Located in Kuragari-toge Pass on an ancient kodo highway that connected Nara with Naniwa (modern-day Osaka). During the Edo era, numerous haiku poets, including the renowned Matsuo Basho, visited this site - called Gokiri no Sato or the "village of haircutting" - to hear the cuckoos singing nearby.Legend says that two married ogres lived here over 1,300 years ago and devoured travelers who came through Kuragari-toge Pass. The legends state that En no Gyoja explained the teachings of Buddhism to these ogres, causing them to cut their hair in penance for their deeds. He then founded Jikoji Temple on the spot, at Mt. Gokiri. The temple grounds are designated by Osaka Prefecture as a scenic location. The temple also holds opening and closing Toakeshiki (third Saturday of March) and Tojimeshiki (third Saturday of September) ceremonies in spring and fall, in which two shugenja mystics race up the stone stairwell dressed as red and blue ogres.
Basic information
- Open
- Open until 17:00
- Holidays
- No designated days closed
- Price
- No viewing fee
- Directions
- Roughly a 40-minute walk from Hiraoka and Nukata Stations on the Kintetsu Nara Line Roughly a 20-minute taxi ride from Ikoma Station on the Kintetsu Nara Line
- Location
- 1823 Higashitoyouracho, Higashiosaka-shi, Osaka, 579-8032
- Tel
- 072-981-8211
- Fax
- 072-981-8211
- Average time
- 10 minutes
- Other
- general participation(その他)
Third Saturday of March - Toakeshiki Opening Ceremony Third Saturday of September - Tojimeshiki Closing Ceremony