Buddhist temple
Chūgū-ji
中宮寺（ちゅうぐうじ）
Ikaruga, Ikoma District, Nara Prefecture
A convent in Ikaruga connected with Prince Shōtoku and his mother, Empress Anahobe no Hashihito. Its principal image is a bodhisattva in the half-lotus posture (traditionally called Nyoirin Kannon), a National Treasure of the Asuka period, and it also preserves the Tenjukoku Mandala embroidery.
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: bodhisattva in the half-lotus posture (traditionally called Nyoirin Kannon)
History and things to know
According to the official guide, it was founded in the Asuka period on a site about 500 m east of the present one, and excavations have shown that its buildings were laid out in the Shitennō-ji style. In the Kamakura period the nun Shinnyo found the Tenjukoku Mandala embroidery and restored the temple, and from the Muromachi period on it became an ama monzeki, a convent that received imperial princesses.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Before you visit
The official guide notes that the way is hard to find if you get off at the Chūgūji-mae bus stop partway, and recommends walking from the approach to Hōryū-ji. There is no general parking.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 中宮寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-22 確認）
This site is independent of the shrines, temples, and other websites mentioned. No partnership or endorsement is implied.