Shigisan Chogosonshi-ji Temple

Meet the tiger symbols, active Bishamonten worship and a commanding view over the Yamato basin.

AI-generated visual study · not a documentary photograph

Discover Shigisan Chogosonshi-ji Temple

Chogosonshi-ji is a working temple complex, not a single hall or a static display of legends. Temple tradition links a vision of Bishamonten on a tiger day to Prince Shotoku; later, the monk Myoren's prayers for Emperor Daigo shaped the temple's name and its illustrated story. The broad precinct now contains a stage-fronted main hall, smaller halls, tiger figures and optional paid spaces. The present main hall is a twentieth-century rebuild, so its experience belongs to a long tradition rather than an untouched sixth-century building.

Read the tiger story as temple tradition

The operator relates that Shotoku encountered Bishamonten in a tiger year, day and hour; tiger symbols still appear around the precinct. Myoren's tenth-century healing narrative and the name granted by Emperor Daigo are another layer. Treat these as the temple's transmitted origin accounts, not dated physical evidence that every visible building was erected by Shotoku.

See why the main hall faces outward

The stage-like main hall looks over the Yamato basin. Prayers using the Daihannya sutra continue daily there. The temple's chronology records destruction in 1951 and completion of the present hall in 1958, after earlier war and fire losses. A visitor can appreciate both the panorama and a living ritual without claiming to see an ancient original hall.

Choose a free visit or a specific paid practice

The prefecture lists ordinary precinct visiting around 9:00–17:00, while the operator separately lists 9:00–16:00 reception for formal Daihannya prayers, which begin at regular hourly cutoffs and have an offering schedule starting at ¥5,000. The dark Kaidan-meguri passage under the main hall is another separately priced experience, listed by the operator at ¥200. In the unlit passage, visitors feel their way along the wall to a lock associated with a wish-granting jewel. It is a devotional practice, not an illuminated museum tunnel. Do not treat the prayer or passage as automatically included in a normal walk.

Plan the National Treasure scroll separately

The illustrated Shigisan Engi Emaki is a National Treasure associated with the temple, but its original scrolls are not an everyday open display. The 2026 autumn special viewing of the Tobikura scroll is announced for 31 October–15 November at the Reihokan. Nara Prefecture’s date-specific notice lists 9:00–17:00 (last reception 16:30) and a special fee of ¥400 for adults and ¥250 for children. Chōgosonshi-ji’s annual-events page lists 9:00–16:00 for the same display. Its Reihokan guide gives the usual hours as 9:00–16:30 (closing at 17:00), standard admission as ¥300 for adults and ¥200 for children, and notes that special-viewing prices may change. Because the special-display closing and last-entry times differ by source, plan to arrive by 16:00 and confirm them with the temple before travelling. This is a dated opening, not a year-round display or guaranteed annual date.

Allow time for the mountain precinct

Beyond the main hall and Great Tiger, the operator map identifies the Kaizandō with its Shikoku 88-temple sand pilgrimage, Myōren mound, Sanpōdō and Kokūzōdō. The mountain-top Kūhachi Gohōdō is reached by a steep uphill path that passes Shigisan Castle ruins and a small ascetic's hut; it is a separate hike, not a short step from the main hall. Check weather, footwear and your return transport before setting out.

Use Oji as the straightforward public route

The operator describes a Nara Kotsu bus from JR/Kintetsu Oji north exit toward Shigisanmon, about twenty-two minutes to Shigi-ohashi followed by five minutes on foot. It also lists a western cable-and-bus route via Shigisan-guchi/Takayasu-yama. These are different routes, not the Ikoma Cable Car described elsewhere on MyNara. Check both the outbound and return bus timetables; taxis are another option from Oji.

What to look for

Tiger figures and Bishamonten devotion

Stage-fronted main hall overlooking the basin

Optional Kaidan-meguri and separately ticketed treasure hall

Photo notes

This is an active worship site. Neither a prefectural image nor the temple's press-download link is an unrestricted reuse licence for MyNara. Respect posted rules and worshippers; obtain the temple's permission before editorial or commercial filming or reproducing its imagery.

Plan your visit

Location2280-1 Shigisan, Heguri · large mountainside precinct

Visitor detailsGeneral visiting: Prefecture lists 9:00–17:00; confirm practical access with the templeFormal prayers: Operator lists reception 9:00–16:00 and offerings from ¥5,000; register at main hall or subtempleKaidan-meguri: Operator lists ¥200 and reception 9:00–17:00Treasure hall: Separate ticket; 2026 scroll display: prefecture lists ¥400 adult / ¥250 child and 9:00–17:00 (last reception 16:30), while Chōgosonshi-ji lists 9:00–16:00; confirm special fee and closing timeVisitor information sources reviewed 20 October 2026. Confirm current hours and fees before visiting.Check source for visitor details General precinct access, a scheduled prayer, Kaidan-meguri and the treasure hall have distinct times and costs. The National Treasure scroll is a special-opening object, not a standing exhibit. The 2026 autumn announcement must not be presented as an annual guarantee. The operator asks visitors to take rubbish home, smoke only at designated points and not bring pet dogs or cats. The mountain precinct involves slopes and stairs; ask the temple about an accessible route before travel.

Getting thereFrom JR or Kintetsu Oji, take the Nara Kotsu bus from the north exit toward Shigisanmon: the temple's access page says about 22 minutes to Shigi-ohashi, then a five-minute walk. It lists a separate taxi journey from Oji as about 4 km/13 minutes. From Osaka, another route is Kintetsu Shigisan-guchi, the Shigi cable to Takayasu-yama, then a bus toward Shigisanmon and about a ten-minute walk. These are distinct routes; this is not the Ikoma Sanjo cable. Check the current timetable in both directions before setting out, especially for the last return bus.

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SEASONAL CALENDAR

Events connected with Shigisan Chogosonshi-ji Temple

These records are shared with MyNara’s event calendar, so dates and notices have one source. Recurring patterns are not confirmed dated editions; check the organizer’s latest guidance.

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Annual pattern

February · annual festival; dates vary · Temple festival

Shigisan Tora Matsuri

Chōgosonshi-ji lists Tora Matsuri among its annual major events. Nara Prefecture's 2026 official visitor guide describes the two-day programme as one of Kansai's largest tiger festivals, with a tiger procession and food festival. The exact weekend and programme change by year; the temple says precinct parking is limited during the festival and recommends public transport. Check the current notice for visitor access, any special participation rules, transport and crowd guidance.

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Make a day of it

Explore guides close to this map point, then check the actual route before travelling. Distances below are straight lines, not walking distances or travel times; map points may not be entrances.

Sources & editorial status

Original MyNara draft based on the linked sources. Sources reviewed 29 October 2026. Opening arrangements, prices and offers may change; use the operator's current information before travelling.