[2025 Himeji Attraction] Travel Guide for Engyoji (Updated Mar)

When I was traveling in Himeji, I made a special visit to Engyo-ji Temple located on Mt. Shosha. This thousand-year-old temple exudes a strong Zen atmosphere. The bell tower located in the temple is the most impressive historical site on my trip. The architectural style of the bell tower of Engyo-ji Temple is simple yet solemn. The wooden structure has withstood hundreds of years of wind and rain, and still retains its stability and ancient atmosphere. The big bell in the bell tower symbolizes the Buddhist meaning of purifying the soul. Every ring of the bell seems to wash away worldly troubles. Standing quietly next to the bell tower in the early morning or at dusk, you can feel the tranquility that transcends time and space, which is refreshing. The bell tower of Engyo-ji Temple is not only a historical building, but also an ideal place for Zen meditation and spiritual tranquility. If you like exploring quiet ancient sites, you will definitely not be disappointed if you come here! 📍 **Address**: Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture 🕒 **Opening hours**: 08:30–17:00 🎫 **Tickets**: 500 yen (Shoshazan entrance fee) 🎯 **Recommended activities**: Bell tower visit, Shoshazan trail, Zen meditation experience #Enkyoji Temple #Himeji Travel #Bell Tower #Japanese Historic Sites #Zen Meditation Experience #Shoshazan #Historical Journey #Japanese Culture #Quiet Attractions #Good Places to Go in January 2025

**Shoshizan Enkyo Temple: Zen time in the quiet historic site of Shourei-in** Shuishizan Enkyoji Temple is a famous historical temple in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, and Juryōin Temple, as one of its Zen rooms, exudes a strong sense of tranquility and classical beauty. This Zen monastery is famous for the diligent life of practicing monks, and it is also an important part of the cultural heritage of Shanyuanjiao Temple. Shouryin Temple was built in the Muromachi period and mainly enshrines statues of Buddha and eminent monks. Walking into the Zen Yuan, the wooden building structure retains the ancient craftsmanship and exudes the traces of time. The courtyard design is simple and elegant, with moss covering the ground and red leaves setting off, presenting completely different scenery in different seasons. I spent a few quiet moments at Juryōin, savoring the Zen atmosphere. You can sit quietly in a corner of the courtyard and enjoy the picturesque scenery outside the window, or you can participate in meditation experiences organized by the temple to gain a deeper understanding of the connotation of Buddhist culture. If time permits, it is recommended to visit the lecture hall near Shoyuyuan Temple to experience the religious charm of the entire Shushan Enkyo Temple. 📍 **Address**: Inside Shushuzan Enkyo Temple, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture 🕒 **Opening Hours**: 8:30–17:00 🎫 **Ticket**: 500 yen for adults (includes the main buildings within the Enkyo Temple area of ​​Shushoyama) #Shushushan Enkyoji Temple #Shūryōin #Japanese Historic Sites #Buddhist Culture #Hyogo Tourism #Himeji Attractions #Zen Time #Historical Buildings #Travel Recommendations 📸 **#Enkyoji Juryōin** **#Japanese Cultural Assets** **#Enkyoji History** **#书山historical tour** **#日本Architecture and Art** #2024Travel Review

The Jangxing Hall of Enjiao Temple is a building of great religious significance and historical value. It is located on Shushu Mountain. This ancient hall has witnessed the long history of Enjiao Temple since its founding and is an important place for Buddhist practice and worship. Jōgyōdo is not only a space used for religious ceremonies, but its architectural style and interior decoration also represent the artistic achievements of traditional Japanese temples, allowing visitors to understand Buddhist culture and its architectural aesthetics. Jōkyōdō has been one of Engyoji Temple’s training places since ancient times, where monks practice meditation, chant sutras and other religious rituals. The religious activities here have deep spiritual significance and are an ideal place for believers who pursue spiritual purity. Many devotees come to attend pujas and meditate here. Changxingtang is famous for its exquisite wooden structure. The roof presents a typical Japanese temple style, with a double eaves design and a stable structure, demonstrating the exquisite skills of ancient building craftsmen. Exquisite wood carvings and decorations can be seen on the pillars, beams and walls of the hall, fully reflecting the artistic charm of traditional Japanese wooden architecture. #### Practical information 📍 **Address**: Shushuzan Enkyo Temple, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture 📸 **#Enkyoji Jōkyōdō** **#书山** **#JapaneseBuddhistArchitecture** **#templepilgrimage** **#Religion and Art** #2024Travel Review

#DomesticTravelRecord Following Himeji Castle, a representative tourist spot in Himeji, I headed to this temple because it was used as a location for the movie The Last Samurai✨️ I took a ropeway to the temple at the top of the mountain, but Tom Cruise, who starred in The Last Samurai, apparently went there by private helicopter lol Even after getting off the ropeway, there were extraordinary slopes and stairs, which made it extremely difficult, but as an ordinary person, I had no choice but to go on foot, so I did my best lol There are many temples on the vast grounds, and it would take several hours to see them all... There are many locations used in the movie, so if you take a look at them again before you go, you will enjoy it many times more✨️ 📍Shoshazan Engyoji Temple 2968 Shosha, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture 8:30-17:00 Round-trip ropeway 1200 yen #HyogoTourism #HimejiTrip #HimejiTourism

Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple is located in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture. It is an ancient Buddhist temple with a history of thousands of years and is also a holy place for filming many movies and Japanese dramas. Among them, the "Lecture Hall" is one of the important buildings of this temple. The Lecture Hall was built in the Kamakura period and is a place where monks explain doctrines and practice. The building is mainly composed of simple and elegant wooden structures, retaining the ancient Japanese Buddhist architectural style. The hall is simply furnished, exuding a solemn and peaceful atmosphere. Standing in front of the lecture hall, you can overlook the entire mountain forest, and each season has different beautiful scenery. Especially in autumn, the lecture hall surrounded by red leaves is particularly charming. The entire Enkyo-ji temple complex is hidden in Mt. Shosha and can be reached by cable car. As you walk along the trail, you can explore other buildings such as the dining hall (じきどう) and the lecture hall, each of which is full of history and culture. If you like history and nature, this place is definitely worth spending a whole day to appreciate. 📍 **Address**: 2968 Shoshayama, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture 🕒 **Visiting hours**: 8:30-17:00 💴 **Ticket**: 500 yen (round trip cable car ticket is 1,500 yen extra) #Shoshazan Engyoji #Lecture Hall #Japanese Historic Sites #Himeji Travel #Historical Exploration #Cultural Experience #Red Leaves Attractions #Japanese Temples #Cable Car Travel 📸 **#Enkyo-ji Lecture Hall** **#Shoshayama** **#Japanese Buddhist Culture** **#Quiet Space** **#Himeji Travel** #2024TravelReview

Every autumn, Shoshayama becomes a spiritual haven for people, and the area where the Engyoji Office is located is an ideal place to view the red maple leaves. The autumn colors and historical atmosphere here are intertwined, allowing people to not only immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, but also feel the profound culture. feature 1. **Beautiful autumn maple scenery** During the red maple season, the area surrounding the Engyoji Temple office on Mount Shosha is surrounded by colorful red and yellow maple leaves, and the maple trees on both sides of the mountain trail are as beautiful as a painting. This forest sways in the autumn breeze, showing the most beautiful natural scenery, which is one of the reasons why many tourists come here. 2. **Historical background of Engyoji Office** The Engyoji Office is not only a part of Engyoji, but also has the function of managing and directing temple affairs. This building has witnessed the development of Engyo-ji Temple over the years and has a long historical and cultural value. It is a place not to be missed when visiting Engyo-ji Temple. 3. **Harmonious integration with nature** The office's architecture blends harmoniously with the surrounding environment, allowing visitors to appreciate the natural beauty while also feeling the tranquility and solemnity brought by the temple. Here, whether walking on the red leaf trail in autumn or sitting by the office meditating quietly, one can feel inner peace. 4. **Ideal photography location** The red leaves here are absolutely beautiful, and it is an ideal place for photography enthusiasts, whether it is a long-range or close-up shot. Visitors can leave the most beautiful memories of autumn here. Whether it is red maples, yellow leaves, or other beautiful scenery of nature, they can all become excellent pictures in the camera lens. #### Useful Information 📍 **Address**: Shoshazan Engyoji Temple, Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture ⏰ **Opening hours**: 9:00 - 17:00 💰 **Entrance fee**: Small donation required, some places are free to visit. #### Reasons for recommendation 1. **Best places to view red leaves in autumn**: If you happen to come to Engyo-ji Temple in autumn, the beautiful red leaves here are definitely not to be missed. 2. **Close contact with nature**: The natural environment surrounding the office is perfectly integrated, allowing visitors to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a peaceful time. 3. **In-depth experience of history and culture**: Not only can you enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery, but you can also gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Engyo-ji Temple. #### Tips 1. **Photography Tips**: In the morning or evening of the red leaf season, the sun shines through the leaves, creating a mysterious light and shadow effect, which is the best time to take photos. 2. **Wear comfortable shoes**: If you plan to hike to the Engyo-ji Office and the surrounding autumn leaf spots, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes to facilitate wandering in the mountains. 3. **Bring some snacks and water**: Yuanjiao Temple is located on the mountain. Bringing some snacks and water can make it easier for you to enjoy the beautiful scenery. 📸 **#EnkyojiOffice** **#RedMapleSeason** **#Shoshayama** **#JapaneseAutumnBeauty** **#EnkyojiRedLeaves** #2024TravelReview

Shoshazan Engyoji Temple was founded in 966 by the monk Shoku and is an ancient temple of the Tendai sect. It has a history of over a thousand years and is very important in Japanese Buddhism. It has been used as a filming location for many films and TV shows, including "The Last Samurai" and the Taiga drama "Gunshi Kanbei". The Maniden Hall was originally destroyed by a fire in 1921 and was rebuilt over a period of ten years in the traditional style. It was built using the cantilever method. The temple is located on Mount Shosha in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. From Himeji Castle, go to the "Himeji Castle Mae" intersection and turn right. Walk about 100 meters towards Himeji Station to the bus stop. Take the No. 8 bus to the Mount Shosha Ropeway. You can take the ropeway for about 4 minutes or walk for 30 minutes.