Chogosonshi-ji Temple

The Birthplace

of Bishamonten Worship in Japan

Perched atop Mt. Shigi in Nara Prefecture, Chogosonshi-ji Temple is one of Japan’s most storied spiritual sites—a mountain monastery whose origins trace back to 587, when Prince Shotoku is said to have received a divine vision of Bishamonten, the guardian deity of warriors and victory. According to legend, the prince prayed for triumph in battle here, and when he prevailed, he founded the temple in gratitude—making Chogosonshi-ji one of Japan’s earliest Bishamonten worship centers.

The temple grounds are filled with striking sights, including the massive Tiger Hall and colorful tiger motifs inspired by the temple’s founding on a day and year associated with the tiger in the Chinese zodiac. Visitors can explore ancient halls, atmospheric mountain paths, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Ikoma mountain range, all infused with over 1,400 years of myth, faith, and cultural heritage.

For travelers seeking a dramatic blend of history, legend, and sacred mountain scenery, Chogosonshi-ji offers a uniquely immersive experience into the spiritual world of early Japan.

Explore the Sights

See photos that bring Chogosonshi-ji Temple to life.

A large, colorful tiger statue with an open mouth on a pathway surrounded by lush green trees and traditional Japanese buildings in the background.
A traditional Japanese shrine with a red wooden structure, stone lanterns on either side, stone steps leading up to it, and a temple bell under the roof. Trees surround the shrine.
A traditional Japanese temple on a hillside with a large silver Buddha statue beside it, surrounded by lush green trees and rooftops.
A traditional Japanese temple with a wooden structure, dark roof, stone lanterns, and stone steps leading up to the entrance, surrounded by leafless trees under a cloudy sky.
A person in traditional purple robes ascending the stone steps of a Japanese Shinto shrine with lanterns and ornate wooden architecture.
A person with a backpack and white pants bowing at a traditional Japanese shrine with a large hanging rope and bell.
A traditional Japanese pagoda with multi-tiered roofs, a tall ornate spire on top, and a torii gate at the base, surrounded by trees and a stone pathway.
A sculpture of a deity or spiritual figure partially obscured by a large red lantern, located under a wooden roof.
Multiple small Buddhist monk statues made of stone, some wearing colorful hats and red cloths, arranged in rows.
A photograph taken from behind a stone wall with small rocks on top, showing a traditional Japanese temple or pagoda with a gray, curved roof and red structure in the background, surrounded by green trees and a partly cloudy sky.
Stone steps leading up to a Japanese temple or shrine, flanked by red banners with white Japanese characters, and a leafless tree in the background under an overcast sky.
A pathway through multiple red torii gates with black inscriptions in a forest setting.