A dignified temple with numerous historical sites on a large site near Takeuchi Kaido Road.
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Eifukuji Temple in Taishi Town, Osaka Prefecture, is not generally well known throughout Japan, but it has long been famous among history buffs and locals as the temple that protects the tomb of Shotoku Taishi.
This is a historic site that you should definitely visit.You will be amazed at the size of the site.It is a temple of a size that should be more famous than it is.
What is Eifukuji Temple like? Location
It is located in Taishi Town, Minamikawachi County, southeastern Osaka Prefecture.Prince Shotoku’s tomb (Isonaga Mausoleum) is located on a hillside to the north of the temple.It is located at the foot of Mt. Futakami in the Kongo mountain range to the east, on a gently descending slope from east to west.Surrounded by old historical townscapes and newly developed residential areas as a bedroom community of Osaka, it is a quiet place rich in nature close to the mountains.
Adjacent to the east of the temple is the “Taishi, Harmony Plaza.It is a spacious grassy park where many families and local children can be seen playing.It is also a great place to spread out a packed lunch and have a picnic.
Taishi Town, Taishi, Nagomi no HirobaThere is a direct entrance/exit from the park to Eifukuji Temple for your convenience.There is a parking lot adjacent to the park.
Takenouchi Kaido, Japan’s oldest national road (government road), which was built during the same period, is located about 1 km east of Eifukuji Temple.
Eifukuji’s connection with the temple
The tomb of Prince Shotoku was constructed in 622 A.D. (Asuka Period) at the place that he had selected as his grave site before his death.
Since then, it has been the center of the Shotoku Taishi faith along with Shitennoji Temple and Horyuji Temple, both built by Shotoku Taishi.It has also been emphasized by the authorities of the time.
It was destroyed by fire in 1574 (Azuchi-Momoyama period: Azuchi-Momoyama era) due to the war of Nobunaga Oda, but the main buildings were rebuilt by Hideyori Toyotomi (son of Hideyoshi Toyotomi) and others in the early to mid Edo period.
Yachi-ji Temple in Habikino City is called “Middle Taishi,” Daisho-sho-gunji Temple in Yao City is called “Lower Taishi,” and Eifuku Temple is called “Upper Taishi.
On April 11 and 12 each year, an event called Daijyoekishiki is held.
thing to note
As one of the three temples associated with Prince Shotoku, there are many valuable and important historical sites as well as an old history.
South Gate
Eifukuji South GateIt stands on a stone staircase in front on the south side.The red pillars are impressive.This gate was rebuilt after being burned in a military fire in 1574, and was rebuilt again in 1958 due to decay.
Tomb of Prince Seitoku (Imperial Temple of Prince Seitoku, North Tomb of Eifukuji Temple)
The tomb of Prince Shotoku is located in front of the entrance through the Nandaimon gate.It is a circular burial mound, or kofun, about 55 m in diameter, and at first glance appears to be a small forest.It is academically named Eifukuji Kita Kofun (Eifukuji North Tomb).It is called the Three Bones One Mausoleum because it is said to contain the coffins of three persons: Prince Shotoku himself, his mother Empress Anahobu Manin, and the Prince’s consort Zenro-jo.
Doppelganger pagoda
Located on the left side (west side) immediately after entering from Nandaimon, it was rebuilt in 1652 by Mitani Sankuro, a wealthy merchant in Edo (present-day Tokyo).It is a nationally designated cultural property.The actual building looks much larger than it appears in the photograph.
main temple structure (sanctuary, hall)
It is located on the left (west) side of the approach to Shotoku Taishi’s tomb after entering from Nandaimon.It is the largest and most powerful building in Eifukuji Temple, and was rebuilt in 1732.
Seireiden (Hall of the Holy Spirit) (Taishido)
It is located on the north side of Kondo, on the left side of the approach from Nandaimon to the tomb of Prince Shotoku.Although it stands quietly, it is an important building.It is a nationally designated important cultural property.
It is said that the temple was rebuilt by Toyotomi Hideyori in 1603 after Eifukuji Temple was burned down by Oda Nobunaga’s military fire.
guest hall
It is said to have been built during the Tensho period (1573-1592: Azuchi-Momoyama period).It is said to have been built with lumber from Takaya Castle (Habikino City) when it was destroyed by Oda Nobunaga.
The precincts of the temple
The grounds are spacious and very bright and clean with cobbled gravel.It is built on a hilly slope at the foot of Mt. Nijo, with a great view.
Inside Hiei Fukuji TempleOther Facilities
The shrine office is on the right as you enter through the South Main Gate.Good luck charms and omikuji are sold there.
Restrooms are located on the right as soon as you enter from the Namdaemun gate.
Access
Access to Eifukuji Temple is
Get off at Kishi Station on the Kintetsu Nagano Line, take the Kintetsu Bus Kishi Circulation Line, and get off at “Shotoku Taishi Gobyo-mae” (Shotoku Taishi Gobyo-mae).
Get off at Kaminotaishi Station on the Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line, and take the Taishi-machi Community Bus Taishi Chuo Circulation Line, or the Kaminotaishi Station Circulation Line, and get off at the “Wakumi no Hiroba-mae” or “Shotoku Taishi Gobyo-mae” stop.
Click here for information on buses within Taishi Town.
*Bus routes and times have changed significantly due to the discontinuation of the Kongo Bus on December 20, 2023.Please check in advance at the town office and the Kintetsu Bus website.
By car, get off at the Habikino Higashi IC or Taishi IC of the Minami Hanna Expressway and go to Eifukuji Temple in Taishi Town.
Address of Eifukuji Temple 2146 Taishi, Taishi Town, Minamikawachi-gun, Osaka Prefecture
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