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Shipporyu-ji Temple, Inunaki-san
Izumisano’s Proud Japan Heritage – Japan’s Oldest Sacred Site – Inunaki-san Shipporyu-ji Temple
Sect: Head Temple of the Shingon-shu Inunaki Sect
Shipporyu-ji Temple, located on the sacred Inunaki Mountain in Izumisano City, is one of Japan’s oldest Shugendo temples. Founded in 661 by En no Gyoja, the founder of Shugendo (a unique Japanese tradition of mountain asceticism), the temple predates Mt. Omine’s establishment by six years. Shipporyu-ji continues to be a revered training ground for Shugendo practitioners (Yamabushi). Notably, Kobo Daishi Kukai, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, also practiced at this temple.
The principal deity enshrined at the temple is Kurikara Dai-ryu Fudo Myo-o, a powerful guardian figure. The temple is nestled in a ‘Sacred Primeval Forest,’ with the entire mountain serving as a spiritual training site. Along the pilgrimage path, visitors will encounter Japan’s largest bronze statue of Miga-wari Fudo Myo-o. The site is also part of the ‘Katsuragi Shugendo 28 Sacred Sites,’ with the 8th Sutra Mound marking an important milestone in Shugendo history. Even today, the temple remains a site for intense spiritual training by Yamabushi.
📌 Basic Information
📍 Temple Name: Shipporyu-ji Temple, Inunaki-san
📍 犬鳴山 七宝瀧寺
| 📅 Reservation | Goma Prayer Ritual: Reservation required by phone. One-Day Shugendo Training Experience: Reservation required at least 10 days in advance via the application form (Apply Here) or by fax. https://inunakisan.jp/en/gyouja?tab=1 |
| 📞 Phone | 072-459-7101(Japanese Only) |
| 📠 Fax | 072-459-7101 |
| 🏠 Address | 8 Ogi, Izumisano City, Osaka, Japan |
| 🚉 Access | From Nankai Main Line Izumisano Station, take the Nankai Bus bound for Inunaki-san (approx. 30 minutes). From JR Hanwa Line Hineno Station, take the Nankai Bus (approx. 20 minutes) and get off at the Inunaki-san Bus Stop. The temple is about a 40-minute walk from there. |
| 🚗 Parking | Free dedicated parking available. |
| 🕒 Visiting Hours | Weekdays: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM Weekends & Holidays: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| 💴 Admission Fee | Free (Donations are appreciated). |
| 🙏 Main Blessings | Household Safety/Business Prosperity/Physical Health & Well-being/Longevity & Protection from Disasters/Success & Good Fortune/Academic Achievement/Recovery from Illness & Successful Surgery/ Safe Travels & Exam Success/Good Relationships & Conception/Childbirth/ Healing from Illness & Cutting Unwanted Ties/Memorial Services for Ancestors, Unborn Children, and Animals/Spiritual Purification of Buddhist Statues |
| 💳 Payment Methods | Cash (Japanese yen) |
🔗 Official Website:https://inunakisan.jp/en/
🌐 Social Media:
ℹ️ Detailed Information
✅ The name Shipporyu-ji comes from the seven waterfalls on the mountain, which are likened to gold, silver, and the Seven Treasures in Buddhism.
✅ The Main Gate (Sōmon) is located about a 3-minute walk from the Inunaki-san Bus Stop.
✅ From the Main Gate to the Main Hall, it takes about 40 minutes on a steep mountain trail, offering a unique temple experience.
✅ Along the path, visitors can find:
◆The Grave of the Loyal Dog, related to the legend behind Inunaki-san’s name.
◆Miga-wari Fudo-son, a protective deity believed to take on people’s hardships.
✅The entire mountain is considered a spiritual power spot.
✅ Gyoja Waterfall & Shugendo Training
◆ Beyond the Main Hall, you’ll find the Gyoja Waterfall, a sacred training site for Shugendo practitioners.
◆ Unlike many other Shugendo sites, which traditionally prohibit women, Inunaki-san allows both men and women to experience Shugendo training, making it especially popular with international visitors.
◆ One-Day Shugendo Training is held on the third Sunday of each month from March to November (reservation required).
📌 About Goma Prayer Rituals: https://inunakisan.jp/en/goma
The Goma Prayer is a sacred fire ritual in Shingon Buddhism performed at Shipporyu-ji Temple. It is conducted for the fulfillment of wishes and spiritual purification.
⭐Highlights
✅ Japan’s Largest Bronze Miga-wari Fudo-son
The temple houses Japan’s largest bronze statue of Miga-wari Fudo-son, a powerful guardian deity believed to take on people’s hardships and protect them from misfortune.
✅ Shakyo (Sutra Copying) & Shabutsu (Buddha Drawing) Experience
◆ Visitors can participate in Shakyo (sutra copying) and Shabutsu (Buddha drawing) at the Heart Sutra Hall in the Miga-wari Fudo Plaza.
◆ No reservation is required; walk-in participation is welcome.
◆ This meditative practice involves carefully copying Buddhist scriptures, one character at a time, helping to focus the mind and cultivate inner peace.
◆ Open to people of all religions and backgrounds.
✅ Yaku no Gyoja Statue & Rock Passage
◆ In the Waterfall Training Area, visitors can pass through a sacred rock tunnel located beneath the pedestal of Yaku no Gyoja (En no Gyoja), the founder of Shugendo.
◆ It is believed that passing through this tunnel allows one to receive his divine spiritual power and the blessings of the Heart Sutra enshrined within the statue.
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