Shoshazan Engyoji Temple

A temple of the Tendai sect is located on the 371-meter-high Mount Shosha in the northern part of Himeji City. The temple is said to have been founded in 966 by priest Shoku-Shonin. Since ancient times, the temple has been widely worshipped and is called the "Hieizan of the West" (Hieizan: the head temple of the Tendai sect of Buddhism)because of its many halls and buildings on the mountain. This temple is the 27th temple of the 33-sacred Temple Kannon Pilgrimage Route in Saigoku.

It has appeared as a shooting location for many movies and TV dramas, including the Hollywood movie "The Last Samurai," released in 2003.

From the bus stop at the foot of the mountain to the top is easily accessible via a ropeway. From the ropeway station, it is a slow 20-minute walk through the temple grounds, lined with various halls, to Mani-den Hall, where the main statue of the Roppi Nyoirin Kannon is enshrined.

The Mani-den Hall was built in 1933 by architect Goichi Takeda after the Nyoirindo was destroyed by fire and is an imposing structure of stage (kakezukuri), similar to that of Kiyomizu Temple. Behind the hall, there is a large lecture hall, a dining hall, and the "Mitsu-no-Do," which halls Dai-ko-do, Jiki-do, and a jogyo-do. The three halls, designated as National Important Cultural Properties, are lined up in a U-shape, symbolizing Enkyo-Ji Temple.