Senkoji Temple - Gondola
Senkoji
Most of Onomichi’s temples have a little real estate, but Senkoji, a symbol of the town, clings to the rock like a barnacle. Scarlet-lacquered and by far the most colorful of the temples you’ll pass in Onomichi, the temple is said to date to the year 806.
Senkoji belongs to the Shingon sect, and like many of the sect’s temples there’s a lot to look at. The temple does a brisk business in charms and amulets, and is especially well known for its ema, small wooden plaques on which you can write a wish and leave it hanging in the temple precincts. One of Senkoji’s specialties is heart shamed ema for lovers. There is also an oversized set of prayer beads, which are used to dispel the effect of sins. Sinner or not, it’s oddly satisfying to throw a coin in the offering box and listen to the wooden beads clack together as you slowly pull the rope. The air is heavy with incense, and as you make your way around huge, ancient outcroppings of stone sheltering groups of statues, it’s easy to imagine that nothing important has changed here for centuries.
Senkoji also has a bell tower, called kyoonro, which is rung every New Year. In keeping with the Japanese fondness for cataloguing treasures, sights and other ‘bests,’ the sound of the bell has been designated one of Japan’s 100 most valuable soundscapes.
Senkoji belongs to the Shingon sect, and like many of the sect’s temples there’s a lot to look at. The temple does a brisk business in charms and amulets, and is especially well known for its ema, small wooden plaques on which you can write a wish and leave it hanging in the temple precincts. One of Senkoji’s specialties is heart shamed ema for lovers. There is also an oversized set of prayer beads, which are used to dispel the effect of sins. Sinner or not, it’s oddly satisfying to throw a coin in the offering box and listen to the wooden beads clack together as you slowly pull the rope. The air is heavy with incense, and as you make your way around huge, ancient outcroppings of stone sheltering groups of statues, it’s easy to imagine that nothing important has changed here for centuries.
Senkoji also has a bell tower, called kyoonro, which is rung every New Year. In keeping with the Japanese fondness for cataloguing treasures, sights and other ‘bests,’ the sound of the bell has been designated one of Japan’s 100 most valuable soundscapes.
Onomichi station===(On foot, 10min.)====Senkoji
Ropeway station===(Ropeway, 3min.)===Senkoji Park
Ropeway station===(Ropeway, 3min.)===Senkoji Park
Open Hours:
9:00 - 17:15
Holiday: December 29th - 31th
*If the weather is not good, it may stop operating.
9:00 - 17:15
Holiday: December 29th - 31th
*If the weather is not good, it may stop operating.
*One-Way
280 yen(Adulit)
140 yen (Elementary school student)
Free (under 6 years old)
280 yen(Adulit)
140 yen (Elementary school student)
Free (under 6 years old)
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