Daiitoku-ji Temple

In short

A mountain temple of the Tendai sect at the northern foot of Mt. Izumi Katsuragi, known as "Ushitakisan," a scenic spot for autumn leaves. It is said to have been founded by En no Gyoja, considered the founder of Shugendo, and has long been revered as one of the sacred sites of Katsuragi Shugen. The principal image is Daiitoku Myo'o, depicted riding a water buffalo. One of the sutra mounds visited during the Katsuragi Shugen pilgrimage is located at this temple, and "Katsuragi Shugen" was designated as a Japan Heritage site in fiscal year 2020 (Reiwa 2).

• ​Tahoto Pagoda, an Important Cultural Property​​: A Muromachi-period three-bay tahoto with a hongawara-buki (formal clay tile) roof. In autumn, the combination of the vermilion pagoda and the maple leaves is splendid
• ​A Famous Autumn Foliage Spot Since the Edo Period​​: The entire grounds are designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by Osaka Prefecture under the name Ushitakisan, and the 1796 (Kansei 8) Izumi Meisho Zue praises the autumn foliage here as rivaling that of Takao and Tsuten. In November, the "Ushitakisan Maple Festival" is held
• ​Mountain Stream Path Around the Waterfalls​​: From the walking path along the mountain stream around the temple, you can walk and view Ichinotaki, Ninotaki, and Sannotaki falls, as well as Kinryu Falls, which has long been regarded as a view representing Kishiwada

History and Highlights

​Daiitoku-ji Temple​​, known as "Ushitakisan," a scenic spot for autumn leaves, is a mountain temple located at the northern foot of Mt. Izumi Katsuragi. Today it belongs to the Tendai sect, but until the Edo period, it was a temple where both the Shingon and Tendai sects were studied together. It is said to have been founded by En no Gyoja, considered the founder of Shugendo, and has long been revered as one of the sacred sites of Katsuragi Shugen.

The Edo-period Izumi Meisho Zue records that En no Gyoja opened this mountain, and later Kobo Daishi and the monk Eryo also visited here to restore the temple. The principal image is Daiitoku Myo'o, depicted riding a water buffalo, who was also called Ushitaki Myo'o. The 10th of the 28 sutra mounds visited during the Katsuragi Shugen pilgrimage is located at this temple, and "Katsuragi Shugen" was designated as a Japan Heritage site in fiscal year 2020.

Highlights and Experiences

• ​Tahoto Pagoda, an Important Cultural Property​​: Standing within the precincts, this Muromachi-period pagoda is a three-bay tahoto with a hongawara-buki (formal clay tile) roof, designated as a National Important Cultural Property. In autumn, the combination of the vermilion pagoda and the maple leaves is splendid.
• ​A Famous Autumn Foliage Spot Since the Edo Period​​: The entire grounds of Daiitoku-ji Temple are designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty by Osaka Prefecture under the name Ushitakisan. The 1796 Izumi Meisho Zue praises the autumn foliage here as rivaling that of Takao and Tsuten. In November, when the autumn leaves reach their peak, the "Ushitakisan Maple Festival" is held.
• ​Mountain Stream Path Around the Waterfalls​​: There is a walking path along the mountain stream around the temple, where you can walk and view Ichinotaki, Ninotaki, and Sannotaki falls, as well as Kinryu Falls, which has long been considered one of Kishiwada's representative scenic views.

Tips for Walking

From Kishiwada Station on the Nankai Main Line, take the Nankai Wing Bus bound for Ushitakisan, get off at the final stop, Ushitakisan, and walk for about 3 minutes. From the back of the temple grounds, a hiking trail continues where you can enjoy views of riverbeds, suspension bridges, and waterfalls while following the "Choishi Jizo" statues placed every 1 cho (about 109 meters) during the Edo period. Since there are some steep mountain paths, be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes. From Daiitoku-ji Temple to the summit of Mt. Izumi Katsuragi, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes via the Ojizo-san Climbing Trail.