Hachijoji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple located in Awaji City, on Awaji Island in Hyogo Prefecture. It belongs to the Koyasan Shingon school of Buddhism, and its mountain name is Rendaisan. The temple’s principal image is Amida Nyorai, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life. With centuries of history and a strong tradition of religious devotion, Hachijoji continues to welcome worshippers and visitors seeking a peaceful spiritual experience.
The origins of Hachijoji date back to the Oei era (1394–1428), during the Muromachi period. According to tradition, the temple was founded by the Buddhist priest Shinryo, who created a statue of Amida Nyorai to serve as its principal image. The temple later fell into decline, but it was revived during the Enpo era (1673–1681) by the priest Seicho, who re-established it under the name Enyuzan Jomanji.
The temple subsequently merged with Hachimadera, a temple associated with Hachiman Shrine, and took the name Rendaisan Hachijoji, which it retains today.
Hachijoji is known as the head temple of the Awaji Island Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage, a religious circuit connecting temples and shrines across the island that enshrine the Seven Lucky Gods of Japanese tradition. One of the temple’s most distinctive features is the Yugi Shichifuku Hoto, a pagoda dedicated to these deities. It was completed on November 11, 1999, at 11:11 a.m., a date and time regarded as especially auspicious.
Hachijoji is also associated with the origins of Mawari Benten, a distinctive local religious observance on Awaji Island. During this tradition, an image of Myoon Benzaiten, the goddess of music, eloquence, and good fortune, is enshrined at a different location each year. The image is traditionally said to have been written by the Buddhist master Kukai, also known as Kobo Daishi. This unusual custom reflects the temple’s close connection to the island’s religious heritage and local culture.
The present main hall was rebuilt in September 1989. Inside is a large wooden statue of Daikokuten, a deity associated with prosperity, good fortune, and abundant harvests. Standing more than two meters tall, the statue is said to be the largest wooden image of Daikokuten in Japan. Its impressive size makes it one of the temple’s principal attractions.
The grounds also contain Miroku Hall and an O-Suna-fumi pilgrimage site. Here, visitors can walk over sand associated with the 88 temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. This practice is believed to offer spiritual merit similar to visiting the temples themselves, making it possible to experience a symbolic pilgrimage without traveling around Shikoku.
The Yugi Shichifuku Hoto is a distinctive pagoda completed in 1999 and regarded by the temple as unique in Japan. It serves as an important symbol of the Awaji Island Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage. Its central supporting pillar, made from Japanese hiba cypress, is another notable feature for visitors interested in traditional wooden architecture.
Additional features of the temple grounds include a statue of Kobo Daishi, a Daishi Hall, and the temple’s living and administrative quarters. The main gate is known as the Gate of the Blossoming Buddha Heart, expressing the hope that visitors will open their hearts to Buddhist teachings during their visit.
Hachijoji is the 64th temple on the Awaji Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. The preceding temple is Choonji, the 63rd, and the following temple is Sa myoji, the 65th. This pilgrimage route offers visitors an opportunity to explore the island’s temples while learning about its long-standing Buddhist traditions.
Hachijoji is also the designated temple for Daikokuten on the Awaji Island Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage. Daikokuten is widely worshipped as a bringer of prosperity and good fortune. Visiting the temple as part of this circuit provides another way to discover Awaji Island’s religious sites, cultural traditions, and peaceful countryside.
Hachijoji Temple is located at 834 Sano, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture. Surrounded by a tranquil natural environment, it offers a peaceful stop for travelers exploring Awaji Island. Visitors interested in Buddhist temples, traditional pilgrimage routes, and Japanese beliefs surrounding good fortune will find plenty to appreciate here.