Buddhist temple
Chion-ji
智恩寺（ちおんじ）
Miyazu, Kyoto Prefecture
A Zen temple of the Rinzai Myōshin-ji school at the foot of Amanohashidate, one of the Three Views of Japan. Its principal image, Monju Bosatsu, is enshrined in the Monju Hall. It is also affectionately known as "Kirito no Monju" and "Kusedo no Monju."
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Prayers associated with this place
Principal image: Monju Bosatsu
History and things to know
According to the temple's guide, while its origin is said to go back to the age of the gods, the temple takes Engi 4 (904), when it received its temple name from Emperor Daigo, as its founding year. Until modern times Amanohashidate itself was part of the temple's lands. In the Edo period it welcomed the Zen master 別源宗調 as its restorer and became a Zen temple.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
The principal image, Monju Bosatsu, is a hidden image not usually shown, and it is described as being unveiled on seven days a year.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 智恩寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-22 確認）
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