Myokoku-ji Temple

Myokoku-ji is a head temple of the Nichiren school in Sakai Ward, Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture. Its principal image is the Sanbo-son, and it stands a short walk from the Myokokuji-mae stop on the Hankai Tramway. The grounds hold a giant sago palm designated a national natural monument, and the temple is known as one that tells the story of Sakai.

It was founded in 1562 by a Nichiren monk, with Miyoshi Jikkyu as patron. Most buildings were complete by around 1583 but were burned in the 1615 Siege of Osaka and rebuilt afterward. Air raids in 1945 destroyed almost everything except the sutra repository and the giant sago palm. The present main hall was rebuilt in 1973.

The giant sago palm is said to be more than 1,100 years old. The city's tourist guide tells a legend that Oda Nobunaga had it moved to Azuchi Castle, but it cried every night that it wanted to return to Sakai, so it was sent back. It is designated a national natural monument.

Myokoku-ji is also the setting of the Sakai Incident of 1868, at the end of the Edo period, when 11 Tosa domain samurai took responsibility and committed seppuku here; it is the subject of Mori Ogai's novel "Sakai Incident". Tradition also says Tokugawa Ieyasu stayed at the temple during the Honnoji Incident and escaped with its help. Two swords are national Important Cultural Properties and the garden is a city-designated place of scenic beauty.

Visits require a reservation in advance, and admission is 400 yen according to the city guide. Please confirm by phone (072-233-0369) before visiting. Allow about 30 minutes for the grounds and the palm.

It is about a 5-minute walk from Myokokuji-mae stop on the Hankai Tramway. Sumiyoshi Taisha (about 3.6 km), Otori Taisha (about 5.3 km) and Abeno Harukas (about 7.8 km) are nearby.