Daijoji Temple, located in Kami-cho, Mikata-gun, on the San'in Kaigan National Park, was founded in 745 by Gyoki Bosatsu. It is known as a temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism.

It is also known as "Okyoji Temple" because of the large number of fusuma paintings by the mid-Edo period painter "Okyo Maruyama" and his disciples.

At Daijoji Temple, you can see 165 wall paintings and a wooden standing statue of Eleven-faced Kannon, which are nationally designated important cultural properties. Further research later revealed that the space of each room surrounded by wall paintings actually constituted a three-dimensional mandala that had been thoroughly calculated. Experts analyze it as a religious space.

Maruyama Okyo has been highly evaluated not only for his art, but also for his spatial production skills. Please take your time and enjoy the idea of Okyo painting as a “place” that integrates the region, building, space, and religion through paintings.

■ Basic information
Name: Daijoji Temple (Okyoji Temple)
Address: 860 Mori, Kasumi-ku, Kami-cho, Mikata-gun, Hyogo Prefecture
Nearest station: JR Sanin Main Line Kasumi Station (5 minutes by bus)
Business hours: 9:00-16:00
Fee: 800 yen (indoor admission fee) *Children 500 yen
Regular holiday: none (irregular holiday)
Parking: On-site parking available

*Please check the website for detailed information.