Hokiin Temple is a prestigious temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism located on Mount Koya in Koya Town, Wakayama Prefecture. It is a historic temple lodging (shukubo) widely known by the traditional name “Okoromo-dera,” or the Temple of the Sacred Robe.
Located in a quiet area near Danjo Garan, Hokiin has a special place in the religious culture of Mount Koya. The temple has preserved a profound tradition of devotion to Kobo Daishi Kukai, the founder of the Shingon Buddhist tradition and the spiritual figure at the heart of Mount Koya.
The temple’s principal object of worship is Juichimen Kannon Bosatsu, the Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva. Hokiin is also the sixth temple on the Shin-Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, welcoming pilgrims who come to pray and seek spiritual comfort.
Mount Koya itself forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.” A visit to Hokiin provides an opportunity to experience the depth of Japanese Buddhist culture in a peaceful and deeply spiritual setting.
Among the many temples of Mount Koya, Hokiin is particularly distinctive because it continues the ancient tradition known as “Kobo Daishi Gyoe-Gae,” the ceremonial changing of Kobo Daishi’s robes.
The foundation of Hokiin is associated with a remarkable legend concerning Kobo Daishi Kukai.
According to tradition, on the night of October 21, 921, Kobo Daishi appeared in a dream to Emperor Daigo. He appeared with long hair and a long beard, wearing old and tattered robes. He then recited the following waka poem:
“At Koya, in the hermitage where I have stayed,
my sleeves have worn away;
beneath the moss,
the bright moon before dawn shines on.”
After reciting the poem, the figure of Kobo Daishi disappeared.
The unusual dream deeply impressed Emperor Daigo. At that time, Kengon Sojo, a senior Buddhist monk who had long petitioned the imperial court to grant Kukai the posthumous title “Kobo Daishi”, advised the emperor to officially bestow the title upon him.
The emperor accepted the proposal and sent an imperial envoy to Mount Koya.
According to the tradition, Kengon later prayed in front of Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum at Okunoin, where Kobo Daishi appeared before him once again. Kengon is said to have carefully arranged the master’s hair and beard and changed him into a new Buddhist robe.
After this, Kobo Daishi quietly disappeared.
This event is traditionally regarded as the origin of the “Kobo Daishi Gyoe-Gae” ceremony, the robe-changing ritual that continues at Mount Koya today. Hokiin is said to have been established by imperial order as the temple responsible for this important tradition.
The name Hokiin is traditionally associated with the Hoki era, the year-name corresponding to the year in which Kobo Daishi was born.
The most distinctive feature of Hokiin is its role in preserving the tradition of changing Kobo Daishi’s robes.
In the religious tradition of Mount Koya, Kobo Daishi is not believed to have simply died. Instead, it is believed that he entered eternal meditation, or nyujo, at Okunoin, where he continues to pray for and protect people.
For this reason, every year on March 21, the anniversary of Kobo Daishi’s entering eternal meditation, a new Buddhist robe is prepared and offered at his mausoleum in Okunoin.
Hokiin is responsible for preparing, consecrating, and presenting this sacred robe.
On March 17, the temple holds the “Kobo Daishi Gyoe Kaji” ceremony. Sacred water drawn from a well within the temple grounds is used in the preparation and dyeing of the robe, while Buddhist prayers and ritual blessings are performed.
In the early morning of March 21, the completed robe is carried to Okunoin, where it is formally offered to Kobo Daishi during a solemn Buddhist ceremony.
This tradition has continued for more than a thousand years and remains one of the important expressions of the religious traditions surrounding Kobo Daishi and Mount Koya.
Within the Daishi-do Hall at Hokiin is a historic well known as Okoromoi, or the “Sacred Robe Well.”
The well is traditionally said to have been dug by Kengon Sojo. Sacred water is believed to continue flowing from it, and this water is used in the preparation and dyeing of the robes presented to Kobo Daishi.
The water is also traditionally believed to bring the blessing of happiness, wisdom, and spiritual fulfillment, making the well an important object of devotion.
Standing quietly beside the well, visitors can sense the long passage of time and the depth of the faith that has been maintained on Mount Koya for generations.
The Daishi-do also enshrines an image of Kobo Daishi in eternal meditation. The statue depicts him with a long beard, reflecting the appearance described in the legendary dream. It is a particularly distinctive representation of Kobo Daishi and an important part of Hokiin’s religious tradition.
Hokiin has preserved numerous cultural treasures and works of Buddhist art throughout its long history.
Among the most important is the wooden standing statue of the Eleven-Headed Kannon Bodhisattva, which has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The statue is traditionally attributed to Kobo Daishi and is said to have once been worshipped within the Imperial Court.
Its graceful form and dignified expression demonstrate the sophisticated beauty of Japanese Buddhist sculpture.
The temple also preserves fusuma-e sliding-door paintings attributed to famous artists and schools, including Sesshu, Maruyama Okyo, and the Kano school.
The combination of historic architecture and traditional paintings gives the temple an elegant and refined atmosphere, allowing visitors to appreciate both Buddhist culture and Japanese artistic traditions.
A statue of Benzaiten, the Buddhist deity associated with music, wisdom, and prosperity, is also traditionally attributed to Kobo Daishi. A Benzaiten Goma fire ritual is held on the 11th day of each month.
The sight of the sacred fire accompanied by Buddhist chanting creates a deeply peaceful atmosphere and offers a glimpse into the living religious traditions of Mount Koya.
Hokiin also operates as a shukubo, or Buddhist temple lodging, allowing visitors to stay within the temple grounds and experience the traditional atmosphere of Mount Koya.
Guests can enjoy shojin ryori, traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, and may also have the opportunity to participate in morning Buddhist services.
Once you pass through the temple gate, the sounds and distractions of the outside world seem to fade away. The peaceful Japanese-style surroundings create a quiet environment in which guests can slow down and relax.
Early morning is particularly atmospheric. The crisp mountain air, birdsong, and gentle sounds of the wind create a serene setting that feels far removed from everyday life.
Hokiin is also conveniently located for exploring Mount Koya. Major sacred sites such as Danjo Garan, Kongobuji Temple, and Okunoin can be reached relatively easily on foot, making the temple an attractive base for travelers wishing to explore the mountain’s religious heritage.
Hokiin is much more than a historic temple or sightseeing destination. It is an important place where the belief in Kobo Daishi’s eternal meditation continues to be expressed through living religious traditions.
The annual robe-changing ceremony, the sacred water of the Okoromoi well, the image of Kobo Daishi in eternal meditation, and the quiet atmosphere of the temple all reflect the profound spiritual culture of Mount Koya.
Unlike a conventional tourist attraction, Hokiin offers a more contemplative experience. Its greatest appeal lies not in spectacular scenery, but in the silence, devotion, and continuity of a tradition that has lasted for more than a thousand years.
For travelers visiting Mount Koya, Hokiin offers a chance to look beyond the famous monuments and discover the living faith that continues to shape this sacred mountain.
Take time to experience the quiet surroundings of Hokiin and discover the remarkable tradition of Kobo Daishi’s sacred robes, a unique expression of the enduring spiritual heritage of Mount Koya.