[Hyogo, Sumoto] Experience something out of the ordinary at Senkoji Temple, located on Sakiyama, which is said to be the first mountain to be created in Japan in the "creation mythology" <copying sutras experience>

At Senkoji Temple, which boasts a history of 1100 years and has a temple on the summit of Sakiyama, a sacred mountain on Awaji Island, you can visit the main hall while enjoying the view of Sumoto City, one of the eight scenic views of Sumoto, and experience a sutra copying experience in a mysterious silence, which is an extraordinary experience. If you wish, you can also visit Iwato Shrine after the experience. Sakiyama, also known as Awaji Fuji, is said to be the first mountain created in Japan in the legend of the creation of the world by the gods Izanagi and Izanami. At Senkoji Temple, which has a temple on the summit of Sakiyama, you can experience copying sutras. First, you can climb about 200 steps to tour the grounds of Senkoji Temple, learn about the origins of Senkoji Temple, and see the place where the Awaji Island custom of "Dango Korogashi", which is rare nationwide, is performed at the temple. You will also be greeted by a lion-like boar, instead of a lion-dog, enshrined in front of the main hall. Because it is a temple on the mountaintop, you can see the central and southern part of Awaji Island, and if the weather is good, you can see the Naruto Strait and Wakayama. Return to the temple office and go to the "Daishido" to experience copying sutras. In copying sutras, you will copy the general Heart Sutra. Place the paper on top of the model Heart Sutra and copy it with a brush pen. Beginners are also welcome. By copying the characters in a solemn space, you can spend a valuable time reflecting on yourself. You can donate the copy to the temple or take it home. After the experience, you can also visit "Iwato Shrine", a popular power spot that enshrines a huge rock where Amaterasu Omikami hid herself, about 10 minutes down from the temple. (Please note that this is a full-scale mountain path) Experience schedule (for example, if the tour starts at 13:00) Meet at 13:00 *Walk around the temple grounds, including visiting the main hall (guided by the head priest Okazaki) 14:00 Experience copying sutras at the Daishido (approx. 30 minutes to 1 hour) 15:00 Scheduled end *After the tour, you can walk around the temple grounds and visit Iwato Shrine (on your own). It takes about 10 minutes to walk one way up the mountain path to Iwato Shrine.

Sakiyama Senkoji Temple was founded about 1100 years ago and is a rare temple built on the top of a mountain. The temple grounds are full of historical landmarks such as the "Two-pillar Great Shrine" that enshrines the two deities Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto, a Nio statue said to have been made by Unkei, the "Bonsho" bell designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and the three-story pagoda, a cultural property of Sumoto City, making it a place of interest. [Why is there a lion instead of a lion dog enshrined in front of the main hall? There was a legend about Izasaou] In the deep mountains of Ueno in Banshu, there was a large boar called Izasaou. After being shot by a hunter named Chuta, Izasaou jumped into the sea and landed in Tsukuura (present-day Tomishima), and fled to Sakiyama. Chuta followed him and found a Thousand-Armed Kannon shining from a hollow in a large cedar tree at the top of Sakiyama, and when he looked closely, he saw that the arrow he had shot was still stuck in it. It is said that after seeing this, Chuta was inspired* to change his name to Jakunin, enshrined the Kannon statue, and built Senkoji Temple.

At Senkoji Temple, there is a custom of "Dango Korogashi" on the 35th day after the death of a deceased person. When the spirit of the deceased climbs the mountain, food is thrown to attract the attention of evil spirits that get in their way. It is said that this tradition was eventually linked to the Buddhist memorial service on the 35th day, which is considered the day of judgment of King Enma in Buddhism. This funeral ritual, known as "Takayama Mairi" or "Segaki," has been handed down since ancient times on Awaji Island and has become a source of comfort for pilgrims from both inside and outside Awaji Island.

This shrine enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, and the sacred rock is an impressive 8 meters high! There is a cleft in the middle, and in the legend of Ame-no-Iwato, Amaterasu Omikami hid herself in the rock cave and the world was plunged into darkness.