Daigyozan Joonji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple of the Nichiren school, located in the Teramachi district of Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture. Its mountain name is Daigyozan, and it has a long association with Honkokuji, a major Nichiren Buddhist temple that served as its former head temple within the Rokujomon lineage. Joonji is also counted among the three temples of the Nagamitsu lineage, together with Chomanji and Chogenji. It belongs to the Oyoshi-shi lineage and has a subtemple, Chusho-in, within its grounds.
The temple’s history dates back to 1350, during the Nanboku-cho period, when it was founded by the Buddhist priest Eizon-in Nichion in an area known as Nanatsumatsu. According to tradition, it subsequently moved several times, including to Furotsuji-cho, Tatsumi, and Ichiba, in what is now the Higashihonmachi area of Amagasaki.
The temple is believed to have stood south of Furotsuji-cho, with Ichiba, a bustling commercial center of medieval Amagasaki, extending to the west. In its earlier years, the temple was reportedly known as Hokkeji and had an extensive complex consisting of seven principal buildings and 16 smaller monastic residences.
In 1617, as Amagasaki Castle was being constructed, the temple was relocated to its present site in Teramachi and renamed Joonji. Its surviving buildings and cultural properties offer a glimpse into the area’s religious history and the architectural traditions of the early Edo period.
The main hall was built in 1623. It features a hip-and-gable roof, traditional Japanese roof tiles, and a rectangular layout measuring five bays across the front and six bays in depth. Its traditional construction and historic fabric make it one of the temple’s most important architectural treasures.
The Tahoto is a two-story Buddhist pagoda built in 1607. It has a square, three-bay layout and a traditional tiled roof, with an image of Shakyamuni Buddha enshrined inside. Standing approximately 15.4 meters tall, it underwent major restoration work in 1960. The pagoda is an important example of traditional Buddhist architecture from the early seventeenth century.
The temple’s bell tower was built in 1627 and is a valuable surviving structure from the early Edo period.
The guest hall dates to 1611. It has a hip-and-gable roof, a traditional tiled covering, and a rectangular plan measuring seven and a half bays across the front and five and a half bays in depth. Its entrance is positioned along the long side of the building.
The kuri, traditionally used for the temple’s kitchen and residential functions, was built in 1668. It features a gabled roof covered with traditional Japanese tiles and a layout measuring seven bays across the front and six bays in depth.
Joonji Temple preserves several important artworks and historic objects that reflect its long religious history.
Illustrated Nirvana Painting: A colored painting on silk depicting the Buddha’s final passing, created in 1565.
Illustrated Biography of Nichiren Daishonin: A colored painting on paper depicting the life and teachings of Nichiren, produced in 1536.
Shitoku-era Waniguchi Gong: A bronze temple gong made in 1385. It measures 31.0 centimeters in diameter, with a thickness of 8.4 centimeters at the lower edge and 14.4 centimeters at the center.
Kakitsu-era Waniguchi Gong: This bronze gong was made in 1441 and measures 24.6 centimeters in diameter. Its lower edge is 6.5 centimeters thick, while the center measures 11.2 centimeters.
Tenbun-era Waniguchi Gong: Made in 1538, this bronze gong measures 27.8 centimeters in diameter, with a thickness of 6.2 centimeters at the lower edge and 11.2 centimeters at the center.
Unban Gong: This bronze percussion instrument dates from the Nanboku-cho period. It measures 47.3 centimeters vertically and 45.2 centimeters horizontally, with a thickness of 1.3 centimeters at the striking boss and 0.8 centimeters across the main surface.
In 1941, the Nichiren school formally dissolved its traditional head-temple and branch-temple system. Nevertheless, historical relationships continue to be remembered through the designations “former head temple” and “former branch temple.” Joonji’s former branch temples include the following institutions.
Chusho-in, Amagasaki City: Located in Teramachi, Chusho-in is a subtemple associated with Joonji.
Honmyo-in, Kobe City: Also known as Kakuchizan Honmyo-in, this temple is located in Nozaki-dori in Kobe’s Chuo Ward.
Hosen-in, Tamba City: Known as Sankozan Hosen-in, this temple is located in Ogo, Sannan-cho, Tamba City.
Located among the historic temples of Amagasaki’s Teramachi district, Joonji offers visitors an opportunity to discover the city’s Buddhist heritage and traditional architecture. Its main hall, Tahoto pagoda, bell tower, guest hall, and temple quarters illustrate the development of temple architecture over several centuries, while its preserved paintings and ritual objects provide a deeper connection to its religious past.
Address: 10 Teramachi, Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture 660-0867, Japan.
By train: The temple is approximately a six-minute walk from Amagasaki Station on the Hanshin Main Line.