Choju-ji Temple (長寿寺) is a Tendai Sect Buddhist temple located in Konan City, Shiga Prefecture.
It was built in the Tenpyo era (729-748), the principal image is the Koyasu Jizo Bosatsu (子安地蔵菩薩).
This Bodhisattva is worshiped especially as a goddess of pregnancy and easy delivery.
And this temple is one of the Konan Sanzan (Three Great Temple in Konan City) and Hon-do hall is designated as a national treasure.
It is also famous for its beautiful autumn leaves.
History of Choju-ji
Let’s study the history of this temple with me before introducing Choju-ji.
I think that we can enjoy the sightseeing of this temple more by learning the history of it. XD
Choju-ji was built in the Tenpyo era (729-748) of the Nara period.
Roben (良弁), the founder of Todai-ji Temple (東大寺), built this temple by direct order of the Emperor Shomu (聖武天皇).
The current main hall was reconstructed during the Jogan era (859-877) of the Heian period.
It was developed under the patronage of the Ashikaga Shogun families in the Muromachi period, but the scale of the temple was reduced by Nobunaga Oda (織田信長).
About Choju-ji
Information
Address：5-1-11, Higashitera, Konan Shi, Shiga Ken, 520-3111, Japan
Phone Number：+81-748-77-3813
Foundation：Tenpyo era (729-748)
Founder：Roben (良弁)
Sect：Tendai sect (天台宗)
Principal image：Koyasu Jizo Bosatsu (子安地蔵菩薩)
Open
9:00 – 16:00
Admission fee
| Adults | 500 yen |
| High and junior high school students | 300 yen |
Temple’s Website
Other information
・It is information as of November, 2019.
・Please ask temple’s staff where you can take photos and videos.
・Worship method of a shinto shrine and a buddhist temple, please refer to the following article.
Next, let’s see highlights of this temple with me!
Highlights of Choju-ji
- 山門*(San-mon gate)*
- 参道*(Approach)*
- 内佛堂*(Naibutsu-do hall)*
- 石造多宝塔*(Taho-to pagoda)*
- 鐘楼*(Shoro)*
- 本堂【国宝】*(Hon-do hall【National Treasure】)*
- 弁天堂【重要文化財】*(Benten-do hall【Important cultural property】)*
- 阿弥陀堂*(Amida-do hall)*
- 白山神社拝殿【重要文化財】*(Hai-den hall of Hakusan-jinja Shrine【Important cultural property】)*
- 白山神社本殿*(Hon-den hall of Hakusan-jinja Shrine)*
- 三重塔跡*(Site of Three-storied Pagoda)*
This mark (*) is a pay area.
山門*(San-mon gate)*
参道*(Approach)*
内佛堂*(Naibutsu-do hall)*
The stone which has the divine favor of pregnancy and easy delivery is enshrined in this temple.
石造多宝塔*(Taho-to pagoda)*
This is one of Japan’s largest stone Tahoto pagoda (多宝塔) which was built in the Kamakura period.
鐘楼*(Shoro)*
本堂【国宝】*(Hon-do hall【National Treasure】)*
Hon-do hall was rebuilt in the early Kamakura Period, designated a National Treasure in 1953.
Koyasu Jizo Bosatsu (子安地蔵菩薩) (the temple’s hidden Buddhist statue, not open to the public), Amida Nyorai (阿弥陀如来) and Shaka Nyorai (釈迦如来) are enshrined into the Hon-do hall.
(Photography is prohibited in the Hon-do hall.)
(This image is quoted from brochure.)
弁天堂【重要文化財】*(Benten-do hall【Important cultural property】)*
Benten-do hall was built in 1550 of the Muromachi Period (室町時代), designated as an important cultural property.
阿弥陀堂*(Amida-do hall)*
Amida Nyorai (阿弥陀如来) is enshrined into the Amida-do hall.
(This image is quoted from brochure.)
白山神社拝殿【重要文化財】*(Hai-den hall of Hakusan-jinja Shrine【Important cultural property】)*
白山神社本殿*(Hon-den hall of Hakusan-jinja Shrine)*
Hakusan-jinja Shrine is the local Shinto deity, enshrined deity: Kukurihime no mikoto (菊理媛尊), for this temple.
三重塔跡*(Site of Three-storied Pagoda)*
Autumn leaves of Choju-ji
Video of Choju-ji
Photos of Choju-ji
Goshuin (Red ink stamp) of Choju-ji
Goshuin of this temple is “Koyasu Jizo Bosatsu (子安地蔵菩薩)” which is the principle image of this temple.
We can get this goshuin at entrance gate. (300 yen)
How to get to Choju-ji
Nearest station is “JR Kusatsu Line Ishibe Station”.
The destination is far from the station, please take a bus or taxi.
From Osaka Sta. to Ishibe Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Kyoto Line (go through to the Biwako Line) from Osaka Station to Kusatsu Station and change to the JR Kusatsu Line.
2.Get on the JR Kusatsu Line from Kusatsu Station to Ishibe Station.
From Namba Sta. to Ishibe Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Namba Station to Umeda Station and change to the JR Kyoto Line.
2.Get on the JR Kyoto Line (go through to the Biwako Line) from Osaka Station to Kusatsu Station and change to the JR Kusatsu Line.
3.Get on the JR Kusatsu Line from Kusatsu Station to Ishibe Station.
From Kyoto Sta. to Ishibe Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Biwako Line from Kyoto Station to Kusatsu Station and change to the JR Kusatsu Line.
2.Get on the JR Kusatsu Line from Kusatsu Station to Ishibe Station.
Get on a Konan City Community Bus at Ishibe Station.
Please get on a Konan City Community Bus from Ishibe Station bus stop (Ishibe Roop Line) and get off Higashidera (Chojuji) bus stop.
Bus company：Konan City Community Bus
Routes/Destination：Ishibe Roop Line
Boarding bus stop：Ishibe Sta.
Alighting bus stop：Higashidera (Chojuji)
Bus fare：250 yen
Time required：About 15 min
Timetable (Weekday)
Timetable (Holiday)
Take a taxi
From Kusatsu Station：about 4,500 yen (30 minutes)
From Ishibe Station：about 1,700 yen (about 10 minutes)
・Let’s show a taxi driver the following phrase.
・If you want to call a taxi, let’s show the following phrase.
Phone number of taxi dispatch (Kusatsu Station)
Phone number of taxi dispatch (Ishibe Station)
Hotel search & reservation around Choju-ji
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
