Hozan-ji Temple (Shoten-san)

The head temple of Shingon Risshu Buddhism, the Hozan-ji is located in Monzen Town, Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture and was founded in 1678 by Tankai. A figure of Daishokangiten is enshrined in the Shotendo hall as the temple’s tutelary god; worshipped by people seeking benefits in the present world, Daishokangiten is also known as “Ikoma Shoten-san,” the god of prosperous business. The main temple building, the oldest structure on the temple grounds, houses the temple’s principal object of worship, a wooden figure of Acala designated an Important Cultural Property. Some of the temple’s many highlights include the Shishi-kaku, a Western-style building erected in the Meiji period, and the Hanya-kutsu cave, where the mystic En no Ozuno (shaman) made offerings of the Widsom Sutras. A Kangiten temple festival is held every 1st and 16th of the month, and this event is attended by numerous worshipers seeking benefits in this life.