Famous for sal trees that bloom beautifully in summer
Ōshōji Temple (應聖寺) is a historic Tendai sect temple said to have been founded over 1,300 years ago during the Hakuchi era by Hōdō Sennin, a sage who came from ancient India (Tenjiku). It is the 8th temple on the list of the “25 Flower Temples of Kansai” and is especially renowned as the “Temple of Sal Trees.”
The temple’s greatest appeal lies in its seasonal flowers that bloom throughout the grounds and the “Ōshōji Garden,” a designated scenic spot by Hyōgo Prefecture that preserves the style of the early Edo period. In particular, the elegant white flowers of the sal tree (Shara-no-hana), which also appear in The Tale of the Heike, reach their peak in summer. These blossoms bloom in the morning and fall by evening, symbolizing the impermanence of all things (shogyō mujō), a concept that deeply moves many visitors. From summer into autumn, the temple grounds are also brightened by vivid pink crape myrtle (sarusuberi) flowers, earning it the affectionate nickname “Temple of Crape Myrtles.” In addition to sal trees and crape myrtles, Ōshōji Temple is a place where visitors can enjoy a wide variety of flowers and wild plants that change with the seasons.
Behind the main hall stretches the Ōshōji Garden, a kare-sansui (dry landscape) garden with a pond designed for scenic viewing. Its refined arrangement of stones and natural topography harmonizes beautifully with the changing atmosphere of each season. Near the temple gate stands a Nehan Buddha (Reclining Buddha) statue, crafted by the temple’s former head priest. This statue, surrounded by seasonal blossoms, is known as the “Garden of Nirvana” and appears to change its appearance with the surrounding flowers throughout the year.
