What to know
Chionji Temple (智恩寺) stands at the southern entrance of the Amanohashidate Sandbar. Belonging to the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen Buddhism, the temple houses one of Japan's "Three Important Statues of Monju Bosatsu," the Buddhist deity of wisdom and intellect. Students and other visitors come here to pray for wisdom and success in academics and life. They purchase special fortunes (omikuji) shaped like folding fans, which are often left hanging from pine trees throughout the temple grounds.
Other notable structures include a large entrance gate and a two-story tahoto-style pagoda built in the 1500s, the oldest building on the grounds. Chionji is also the resting place of Izumi Shikibu, a famous female poet from the Heian Period (710–1185).
Chionji Temple is located at the southern entrance of the Amanohashidate Sandbar, about a five-minute walk from Amanohashidate Station.
How to get to and around Amanohashidate
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- 8:00 to 17:00 (temple shop)
- Closed
- No closing days
- Admission
- Free
- English name
- Original name
- Chionji Temple
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.