Japan’s Oldest Tahōtō Pagoda
The Tahōtō Pagoda within the Kongōji grounds was built during the late Heian period and is regarded as the oldest surviving Tahōtō pagoda in Japan. It is also considered the oldest surviving wooden building in Osaka Prefecture.
With its exceptional historical and architectural value, the pagoda offers visitors a glimpse into the religious architecture of medieval Japan.
Nyonin Kōya: A Temple Open to Women
Unlike Mount Kōya, which historically prohibited women from entering, Kongōji welcomed female pilgrims. Along with temples such as Jison-in and Murō-ji, it therefore became known as “Nyonin Kōya,” or “Kōya for Women.” This distinctive tradition attracted many female worshippers throughout its history.
Nyonin Kōya has been recognized as part of Japan Heritage under the theme “Nyonin Kōya: A Sacred Place of Healing That Has Watched Over Women Through the Ages.”
History of Kongōji
A Stronghold During the Northern and Southern Courts Period
During the Northern and Southern Courts period, Kongōji became one of the important strongholds of the Southern Court. In 1336, Emperor Go-Daigo designated it an imperial prayer temple. In 1354, an imperial residence was established here for Emperor Go-Murakami.
The temple is also associated with Bunkanbō Kōshin, a close religious adviser to Emperors Go-Daigo and Go-Murakami, who died here.
Legendary Origins and Early History
According to temple tradition, one of the 84,000 iron stupas said to have been scattered by the Indian emperor Ashoka fell at this location.
During the Tenpyō era of the Nara period, from 729 to 749, the monk Gyōki is said to have founded the temple at the imperial request of Emperor Shōmu. Tradition also holds that Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai) practiced here.
Revival During the Heian Period
In the late Heian period, the monk Akan of Mount Kōya lived at the temple and gained the devoted support of Emperor Go-Shirakawa and his sister, Lady Hachijō-in.
In 1180, the local warrior Minamoto no Sadahiro donated land to the temple, allowing major buildings such as the Kon-dō and Miei-dō to be constructed. Around this period, women were permitted to worship at Kongōji, helping establish its reputation as Nyonin Kōya.
Prosperity During the Northern and Southern Courts Period
From the end of the Kamakura period through the Northern and Southern Courts period, Kongōji became a major Southern Court base along with nearby Kanshinji Temple.
In 1336, Emperor Go-Daigo designated Kongōji an imperial prayer temple. In 1354, Emperor Go-Murakami established his temporary residence here.
Its Connection with Emperor Go-Daigo
Emperor Go-Daigo used Kongōji as part of his efforts to support the Southern Court. The monk Bunkanbō Kōshin served as a religious adviser, while the scholar-monk Zen’e copied numerous Buddhist texts. The temple therefore played an important role not only religiously but also in the cultural history of the period.
War and Its Consequences
In 1360, attacks by forces of the Northern Court resulted in the destruction of many sub-temples. In 1373, Kusunoki Masayoshi occupied Kongōji in another episode of conflict.
Despite these upheavals, the temple survived and was subsequently restored and rebuilt.
Development from the Muromachi to Edo Periods
From the Muromachi period onward, Kongōji maintained its influence by avoiding major destruction during periods of warfare and developing economic activities, including the production and sale of the famous local sake known as Amano-zake.
Major improvements to the temple complex were later carried out under Toyotomi Hideyori and the Edo-period shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi.
From the Meiji Period to the Present
During the Meiji period, the anti-Buddhist movement known as Haibutsu Kishaku led to a reduction in the number of sub-temples. However, the main buildings survived and many valuable cultural properties were preserved.
Today, three sub-temples remain: Maniin, Kanzō-in, and Kisshō-in. Together, they continue to preserve the history and culture of Kongōji.
Distinctive Features of Kongōji
A Rich Collection of Buildings and Cultural Treasures
The temple grounds contain a wide range of historic buildings, including the Kon-dō, Tahōtō Pagoda, Jikidō, and Rōmon Gate. These buildings were repaired or reconstructed at various times, including under Toyotomi Hideyori and Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, and many retain their historic appearance today.
Despite the effects of the Meiji-period anti-Buddhist movement, sub-temples such as Maniin, Kanzō-in, and Kisshō-in remain, along with numerous valuable cultural properties.
Kon-dō Hall – Important Cultural Property
The Kon-dō Hall was rebuilt in 1320 and later underwent major repairs under Toyotomi Hideyori.
The hall houses important Buddhist statues, including:
• Seated Dainichi Nyorai, the principal image
• Seated Fudō Myōō
• Seated Gōzanze Myōō
These sculptures form a three-dimensional representation of an Esoteric Buddhist mandala and are remarkable examples of Buddhist sculpture.
Tahōtō Pagoda – Important Cultural Property
Built during the late Heian period, the Tahōtō Pagoda is regarded as the oldest surviving example of its type in Japan and the oldest wooden building in Osaka Prefecture.
Its interior features vividly colored Buddhist imagery, while a statue of Dainichi Nyorai is enshrined on the lower level. In 1606, Toyotomi Hideyori carried out major renovations of the pagoda.
Rōmon Gate – Important Cultural Property
The Rōmon Gate was rebuilt in the late Kamakura period. It houses statues of the guardian kings Zōchōten and Jikokuten, who protect the temple entrance.
The gate is one of Kongōji’s most recognizable structures, welcoming visitors as they enter the historic temple grounds.
Jikidō Hall – Important Cultural Property
The Jikidō is historically significant because Emperor Go-Murakami is said to have conducted government affairs here for approximately five years during the Northern and Southern Courts period.
The building provides an important reminder of Kongōji’s close connection with the political history of medieval Japan.
Miei-dō Hall – Important Cultural Property
The Miei-dō houses an image of Kōbō Daishi. The building was reconstructed in 1606 and includes the Kangetsu-tei pavilion.
It is another important structure that preserves the history of the Northern and Southern Courts period.
Yakushi-dō Hall – Important Cultural Property
The Yakushi-dō enshrines Yakushi Nyorai, designated as a cultural property of Osaka Prefecture, together with the attendant bodhisattvas Nikkō Bosatsu and Gakkō Bosatsu and the Twelve Heavenly Generals.
The hall was reconstructed under Toyotomi Hideyori during the Keichō era.
Gobutsudō Hall – Important Cultural Property
The Gobutsudō enshrines the Five Wisdom Buddhas: Dainichi Nyorai, Ashuku Nyorai, Yakushi Nyorai, Hōshō Nyorai, and Amida Nyorai.
The hall was also rebuilt under Toyotomi Hideyori and serves as the seventh temple of the New Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, attracting many worshippers.
Okuden – Registered Tangible Cultural Property
The Okuden is known as the place where three retired emperors of the Northern Court—Emperor Kōgon, Emperor Sukō, and Emperor Kōmyō—were confined for approximately three years during the Northern and Southern Courts period.
This historical background gives the building particular significance.
Maniin – Important Cultural Property
Maniin served as the residence of Emperor Go-Murakami for approximately five years during the Northern and Southern Courts period. It was once one of the most influential of the temple’s nearly 90 sub-temples.
Amanosan 88 Sacred Sites
Sand from the Shikoku 88 Sacred Sites was ceremonially enshrined here, creating a pilgrimage route that can be completed within the temple grounds.
This allows visitors to experience the tradition and spiritual significance of the Shikoku 88-temple pilgrimage without traveling all the way to Shikoku.
Amano Kaidō
Amano Kaidō is an historic road branching from the Nishi-Kōya Kaidō and leading to Kongōji. The route retains elements of a medieval landscape, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the atmosphere of historic Japan while walking toward the temple.
Other Highlights
Garden
The temple has a beautiful garden traditionally attributed to Hachisuka Iemasa.
Chinju Bridge
Chinju Bridge spans the Amano River and is designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property. It adds another historic feature to the temple grounds.
Treasure Hall
The Treasure Hall displays valuable cultural properties associated with Kongōji and its long history.
The Temple and Amano-zake
During the Muromachi period, Kongōji generated income by producing and selling the famous local sake known as Amano-zake.
This tradition is an interesting example of the economic activities once undertaken by Buddhist temples and reflects the strong influence Kongōji had on the surrounding community.
Cultural Properties
National Treasures
Kongōji possesses numerous important cultural properties, including several designated as National Treasures.
• Wooden Seated Dainichi Nyorai and Three Wooden Seated Statues of Fudō Myōō and Gōzanze Myōō, with a wooden canopy — designated National Treasures in fiscal 2017.
• Unsigned Sword with Black-Lacquered Sword Fittings
• Scenes of the Four Seasons with the Sun and Moon, a pair of six-panel folding screens — designated a National Treasure in fiscal 2018. This work is regarded as a representative example of medieval Japanese Yamato-e painting, and its distinctive artistic expression influenced later Japanese painters.
Important Cultural Properties
Kongōji’s Important Cultural Properties include numerous buildings, sculptures, paintings, and craftworks.
Historic Buildings
• Rōmon Gate, including the ridge-end plaque
• Kon-dō Hall, including the ridge-end plaque
• Miei-dō Hall, including Kangetsu-tei
• Tahōtō Pagoda
• Jikidō Hall, also known as Amano-dono
• Bell Tower
Together, these buildings represent the long history of Kongōji and provide valuable examples of traditional Japanese architecture.
Sculpture
• Wooden Seated Dainichi Nyorai, enshrined in the Tahōtō Pagoda
• Two Wooden Standing Guardian Deities, created by Hōkyo Shōkai and others in 1279
• Five Wooden Seated Wisdom Buddhas, enshrined in the Gobutsudō
These sculptures are highly regarded examples of Japanese Buddhist art.
Paintings
• Five Secret Buddhas Mandala, color on silk
• Portrait of Kōbō Daishi, color on silk
• Sonshō Mandala, color on silk
Craftworks
• Gilt-bronze incense burner, with a pierced gilt-bronze lid decorated with peonies
• Lotus Makie Sutra Box, deposited at the Tokyo National Museum
• White-bronze mirror decorated with flowers and birds
Historic Site and Registered Cultural Properties
National Historic Site
The grounds of Kongōji are designated as a National Historic Site, reflecting the importance of the temple and its surviving historic landscape.
Registered Tangible Cultural Properties
In 2017, 12 buildings associated with Kongōji were designated as Nationally Registered Tangible Cultural Properties. They include:
• Honbō Jibutsudō
• Honbō Guest Hall
• Honbō Main Entrance
• Honbō Tea House
• Main Lecture Hall
• Chinju Bridge
Local Cultural Properties
Kongōji also contains numerous cultural properties and natural monuments designated by Osaka Prefecture and Kawachinagano City.
Osaka Prefecture-designated Tangible Cultural Properties: Wooden Standing Yakushi Nyorai, Copper Sen Kōshuku Pagoda, and others.
Osaka Prefecture-designated Natural Monument: The Kongōji Cedar.
Kawachinagano City-designated Tangible Cultural Properties: Wooden Standing Senju Kannon Bosatsu and a painted wooden panel depicting the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets, among others.
Access to Kongōji
Kongōji is easily accessible by public transportation. From Kawachinagano Station on the Nankai Kōya Line or Kintetsu Nagano Line, take a Nankai Bus bound for Kōmyōike Station, Makio Junior High School, or Kōmyōike Cycle Sports Center and get off at the Amanosan bus stop. The temple is located immediately nearby.
Kongōji as a Pilgrimage Destination
Kongōji is an important pilgrimage site associated with several pilgrimage traditions, including the New Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage and the Kasen 24 Jizō Pilgrimage.
Worshippers and pilgrims continue to visit the temple today, preserving its role as an important spiritual destination.
Why Visit Kongōji?
Kongōji offers much more than historic buildings and cultural treasures. Visitors can also enjoy the natural beauty of the temple grounds throughout the seasons. Cherry blossoms in spring and colorful autumn foliage create especially beautiful scenery and make the temple popular with photographers and travelers.
The surrounding area also has paths suitable for leisurely walks, allowing visitors to slow down and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Oku-Kawachi.
With its long history, remarkable Buddhist architecture, and extensive collection of cultural properties, Kongōji offers a fascinating introduction to Japan’s religious and artistic traditions. Its distinctive history as “Nyonin Kōya”, together with its deep connections to the surrounding community and the history of medieval Japan, makes it a particularly memorable destination.
A visit to Amanosan Kongōji Temple provides an opportunity to experience the history, spirituality, architecture, and seasonal beauty of one of Osaka Prefecture’s important historic temples.