Shinko-ji Temple

Shinko-ji Temple is a Ji-shu (Time Sect) Buddhist temple in Hyogo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, with the temple mountain name Saigetsuzan. According to temple tradition, it originated from “Komyo Fukuku-ji” on Sakishima in Hyogo Wada no Saki, and in 1289 (Shoo 2), the founder of the Ji-shu sect, Ippen Shonin, passed away at the Kannon Hall on this site. Later, the second head, Shinkyo Shonin, petitioned Emperor Fushimi and received the temple name “Shinko-ji,” and the Akamatsu clan, steward of Harima Province, donated temple lands. Access to Shinko-ji is about a 10-minute walk from JR Kobe Line Hyogo Station. Shinko-ji is also one of the Hyogo Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage sites; it represents Fukurokuju. Fukurokuju is a Daoist deity from China and is also associated with the Southern Pole Star. Said to love cranes and turtles and to be thousands of years old, Fukurokuju is believed to bestow blessings of longevity and popularity. The temple is also famous for its annual memorial service for Ippen Shonin (Ippen Shonin Goki Hoyō) held on September 16. After the service, around 40 monks perform the “Odori Nenbutsu” (Dancing Nenbutsu) in remembrance of Ippen.