Tenjō-ji, Buddhist temple on Mount Maya in Kobe, Japan.
Tenjō-ji stands at an elevation of 699 meters on Mount Maya and features traditional Shingon Buddhist architecture with carefully arranged stone gardens. The temple complex includes multiple buildings and structures that sit quietly within the forested mountainside setting.
A monk named Hōdō established the temple in 646 at the request of Emperor Kōtoku, following his successful healing of the ruler's illness. The founding was an act of imperial gratitude for the monk's healing power.
This is the only temple in Japan dedicated to Maya, Buddha's mother, and visitors encounter rituals and prayers focused on protection during pregnancy. The practice draws people seeking blessings for childbirth and safe delivery throughout the year.
The temple sits at the end of a walking path from the ropeway station and is reached through forested footways. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and prepare for changing weather conditions at this elevation.
The temple houses three sacred statues revealed only every 33 years for public viewing in a hidden chamber. This mysterious opening draws pilgrims who wait for the rare chance to see the Eleven-Faced Avalokitesvara, Acala, and Vaiśravaṇa.
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